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 CH&RLES ELLIS. 
 
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 FOR EVERY HOME. '' 
 
 ■QDlttb portraits of SbaRspearc anO tbe autbor. 
 
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 I should like 3 more copies."— A Lady. 
 
 RECENT NOTICES. 
 
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 believe— In spite 0/ all attempts to prove the contrary— to be that 
 of Shakspeare, this attractively bound volume will be quite a gold 
 mine. It brings together the most striking examples of the bard's 
 Indebtedness to both old and new Testaments, and Mr. Ellis may 
 be congratulated on such a scholarly attempt to show how the 
 writer of theselmmortal plays gathered so much inspiration from 
 the Book of Books."— Christian Age. 
 
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 book, as well as benefiting a worthy institution. "—Methodist 
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 at half-a-crown." — Manchester Evening News. 
 
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 " Deeply interesting."— M. C. Q. Moule, Bishop of Durham. 
 
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 the only writings more beautiful than his own." — Late Dean Hole. 
 
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 thanks for the gift. I have been reading with the greatest 
 Interest and delight your happy parallels from Christ's words 
 and from Mis prophets." — Charles W. Stubbs, Bishop of Truro. 
 
 
9j. 
 
 Cornell University 
 Library 
 
 The original of tiiis book is in 
 tine Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924013163013 
 
tTbe Cbrist 
 
 SHAKSPEARE 
 
■^be Sbaft6peare of tbe Cburcb/ 
 
 "Will you lay your life on it — your estate — your 
 reputation, that the doctrine of Jesus Christ is true 
 in every article? — then you have faith." 
 * * * * 
 
 " Dearest Jesus, let me trust in thee for ever.'' 
 
 Bishop Jeremy Taylor, 
 1613-67. 
 
 "Christ, not Christianity, is the power that has soothed and 
 satisfied the spirit of the great multitude which no man can number." 
 
 Canon Aingee (SermonsJ, 
 
 Master of the Temple^ 1896. 
 
XTo tbe /iDemors 
 
 OF 
 
 MY BELOVED MASTER, 
 
 WILLIAM SHAKSPEARE. 
 
 /fr Y Shakspeare, rise ! I will not lodge thee by 
 Chaucer or Spenser, or bid Beaumont lie 
 A little further off, to make thee room : 
 Thou art a monument without a tomb, 
 And art alive still, while thy book doth live. 
 And we have wits to read, and praise to give. 
 ****** 
 
 Triumph, my Britain, thou hast one to show 
 To whom all scenes of Europe homage owe, 
 He was not of an Age, but for all time ! 
 And all the Muses still were in their prime. 
 When, like Apollo, he came forth to warm 
 Our ears, or like a Mercury, to charm ! 
 Nature herself was proud of his designs, 
 And joyed to wear the dressing of his lines ! 
 Which were so richly spun, and woven so fit 
 As since, she will vouchsafe no other wit. 
 * * * * * * 
 
 Ben Jonson. 
 
 '« 
 
.34 
 
 ®n tbe portrait 
 
 OF 
 
 SHAKSPEARE. 
 
 TO THE READER. 
 
 tHIS figure that thou here seest put, 
 It was for gentle Shakspeare cut : 
 Wherein the graver had a strife 
 With nature to outdo the life. 
 O could he but have drawn his wit 
 As well in brass, as he has hit 
 His face ; the print would then surpass 
 All that was ever writ in brass ; 
 But since he cannot, reader, look 
 Not on his picture, but his book. 
 
 Ben[jamin] Jonson, i6i6. 
 
 » 
 

 
 < 
 
 Reproduced from Houbraken's engraving, 1747, of the portrait 
 
 of William ' Shakespear ' in the possassion of 
 
 John Nicoll of Southgate, Esquire. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE. 
 
 SHAKSPEARE 
 
 A Reading from the Merchant of Venice 
 SHAKSPEARIANA 
 
 SONNETS 
 
 Mitb tbeir Scriptural l&armonteB 
 
 INTERPRETED BY 
 
 CHARLES ELLIS, 
 
 Author of "Above the Clouds """Richmond: a Poem"; 
 etc. etc. etc. 
 
 " My love is deep ; the more I give to thee 
 The more I have, for both are infinite." 
 
 W. S. 
 
 BE'in ,■■ ' "pENr^jiE L.BRARY, 
 LONDON -STl. ''. BETHNAL GnEEN, E. 
 
"Therefore, friends, 
 As far as to the sepulchre of Christ, 
 Whose soldiers now, under whose blessed cross 
 We are impressed and engaged to fight 
 . ... in those holy fields 
 Over whose acres walk'd those blessdd feet 
 Which, fourteen hundred years ago, were nail'd 
 For our advantage on the bitter cross." 
 
 W. S. 
 
 "Let me, O God, for ever fix mine eyes 
 Upon the merit of that sacrifice : 
 Let me retain a due commemoration 
 Of those dear mercies, and that bloody passion." 
 
 'EMBLKM—Tke Pelican. G. WITHER. 
 
 i 
 
 iT 
 
 
TLO 
 The Right Honourable 
 
 SIDNEY 
 
 i^iA (ijtAJ 
 
 EARL OF PEMBROKE, 
 
 (i468)-i5si-i89S 
 
 THIS TRIBUTE 
 
 Uo tbe /iDemors of 
 
 WILLIAM SHAKSPEARE 
 
 IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED 
 
The 1st Earl of Pembroke as (Sir) William Herbert, 
 of the household of King Henry VIII., created 1551. 
 
 Henry, 2nd Earl, was father of William, ^rdEarl, who 
 died childless, 1630, 14 years after William Shakspeare. 
 
 Philip, his brother, succeeded as 4th Earl : he died 
 1650, and was succeeded by his eldest son Philip, 5th 
 Earl, deceased 1669. 
 
 William, Philip, and Thomas, his three sons, followed 
 in succession as 6th, 7th, and 8th Earls, the last named 
 dying 1733, whose elder son, Henry, was 9th Earl : he 
 died 1751, and was succeeded by his only son, Henry, 
 loth Earl; deceased 1794, whose only son succeeded as 
 nth Earl, who died 1827, of whom Mr. Lodge records 
 that he was deeply lamented by those amongst whom he 
 was in constant residence, affording employment to the 
 numerous peasantry of his large estate at Wilton. 
 
 His successor was his eldest son, Robert Henry, 12th 
 Earl, who died 1862, and was succeeded by his nephew, 
 George Robert Charles, as 13th Earl, bom 1850, died 
 3rd May, 1895. The present Earl is his brother, Sidney, 
 bom 1853. 
 
 The 'W. H.' to whom it is believed many of the 
 Sonnets were addressed was therefore Mr. William 
 Herbert, 3rd Earl. 
 
 The family motto is in French. In English it reads, 
 ' One will I serve.' 
 
 M' 
 
"lan je 0ervirai" 
 
 (THE MOTTO OF THE EARLS OF PEMBROKE). 
 
 'One will I Serve'*— one only, for 
 Two Masters, who shall serve? 
 
 One Master, both in peace and war 
 From honour ne'er to swerve. 
 
 In His high service may I be 
 
 Known as the bearer of that shield 
 
 Which ever must be borne in fear — 
 Yet, fearless in the tented field, 
 As in the Council ; holding dear 
 His spotless honour, who for me 
 Endured captivity anc^ made me free ! 
 
 * yoshua xxiv. 24. 
 
«^ 
 
 WILLIAM SHAKSPEARE 
 
 OF Stratford-upon-Avon, 
 
 WAS BORN 
 
 ■2ird APRIL 1564. 
 He died lyd APRIL 1616. 
 
 SUSANNA, HIS DAUGHTER, 
 
 (Wife of Dr. John Hall) 
 Died iith JULY 1649, aged 66. 
 
 On her tombstone were inscribed the following lines : 
 
 witty above her sexe, but that 's not all ; 
 "Wise unto Salvation," was good Mistress Hall: 
 Something of Shakspeare was in ihaif but ihiSf 
 Wholly of Him* with whom she 's now in bliss. 
 
 Her daughter Elizabeth, by her second marriage, 
 became Lady Bernard, dying childless, 1670. 
 
 She was the last lineal descendant of our Poet. 
 
 • Very signiiicant testimony from the family then surviving of the true 
 piety of Shalcspeare. 
 
SHAKSPEARE. 
 
 XTributars Couplets. 
 
 By WILLIAM COLLINS, 1743, 
 In an epistle to Sir Thomas Hanmer on his edition of Shakspeare's works. 
 
 t^HILE bom to bring the Muse's happier days, 
 A patriot's hand protects a poet's lays, 
 While nurs'd by you she sees her myrtles bloom 
 Green and unwither'd o'er his honoured tomb ; 
 Excuse her doubts, if yet she fears to tell 
 What secret transports in her bosom swell : 
 With conscious awe she hears the critic's fame, 
 And, blushing, hides her wreath at Shakespeare's name : 
 ********* 
 
 For heav'n, still various in its works, decreed 
 The perfect boast of time* should last succeed. 
 The beauteous union must appear at length 
 Of Tuscan fancy, and Athenian strengfth ; 
 One greater Muse, Eliza's reign, adorn, 
 And e'en a Shakespeare to her fame be born ! 
 
 * For the italic the Editor is responsible. These lines are from his one 
 poem alluding to his great progenitor, but very unequal to himself, for of 
 him it can still be said he was "the founder of a new school of poetry," and 
 in his exquisite manner '*he has no rival." He was "a great reader of the 
 Bible " (bom i72i^<lied i7S9). 
 
J!i 
 
 SHAKSPEARE. 
 JLbc Cbrtst in Sbaftspeare. 
 
 5S^ O every soul imprison'd here below 
 
 Is full salvation given, yet man will not 
 Believe and live. Yea, rather would he now 
 
 Swear by some notion he has madly got 
 Lurking in sad concealment in his brain, 
 
 There foisted by his unseen enemies : 
 He will not hear that self-redemption 's vain. 
 
 Proceeding from the father, dread, of lies. 
 Our " gentle Shakspeare," in historic lays, 
 
 The hideous end loud thunders solemnly ; 
 And, again, safety, with such beauty says, 
 
 Is in the Christ, who died to set us free : 
 O what a heav'n is found " in truth and love " — 
 Our great " forerunner " to the Realms above ! 
 
 C. E. 
 
 M 
 
VICTORIAN EDITION. 
 
 \^The Elizabethan Era had all the heroic charm 
 of the early forenoon of a summer's day, as the 
 Victorian Era has the sumptuous glory following 
 the meridian?^ 
 
 PREAMBLE 
 
 TO 
 
 SECOND EDITION. 
 
" Garrick was a worshipper himself. 
 He drew the Liturgy, and framed the rites 
 And solemn ceremonial of the day, 
 And called the world to worship on the banks 
 Of Avon, famed in song.'' 
 
 COWPER. 
 
 ***** 
 " Shakspeare has seized every turn and flexure of the 
 ever-varying mind of man in all its fluctuating forms, 
 touched it in all its changeful shades, and marked it in 
 all its nicer gradations, as well as its more abrupt 
 varieties. He exhibits the whole internal structure of 
 man, uniting the correctness of anatomy with the exact- 
 ness of delineation, the graces and proportion and often 
 the highest beauty of colouring." 
 
 Hannah More. 
 
PREAMBLE 
 
 17 
 
 PREAMBLE 
 
 VICTORIAN EDITION.* 
 
 I HE author of these selections from the 
 works of Shakspeare has aimed hereby to 
 demonstrate what has been privately understood 
 and felt throughout the ages, that he wrote for 
 all time and for all readers. 
 
 To realise this, however, it had become 
 necessary, and especially at this epoch of the 
 Victorian Age, to provide some such setting 
 forth as is now presented to the hand of all in 
 every English home. 
 
 * The first edition of the Sonnets was published by Messrs. 
 Samuel Bagster & Sons, London, September, 1896. 
 
i8 
 
 PREAMBLE 
 
 If Milton sings of him — 
 
 " With laurel crown'd, which never fades," 
 
 and Wordsworth — 
 
 " Scorn not the sonnet . . . with this key 
 Shakspeare unlock'd his heart," 
 
 and if King David could witness that the love 
 of Jonathan for him was "wonderful, passing 
 the love of women," surely our Poet might 
 confess that "the love of Christ which passeth 
 knowledge " claimed all of him in return. 
 
 It has been said his love was more than man's 
 to man, or man's to woman. Here then we 
 find that outpouring of love suggestive of the 
 evidence of things unseen — love soaring above 
 earthly loves, because, as recorded of him by 
 those who knew him best, he was " WISE UNTO 
 Salvation." 
 
 The portrait (reproduction) given with this 
 
PREAMBLE 
 
 19 
 
 volume well supports these evidences of his true 
 character, which is, perhaps, more than can be 
 said of any other portrait known,* 
 
 With a natural genius never exceeded, his 
 penetration and kingly power to exhibit both 
 evil and good is unapproached ; his object 
 always being to hold up vice to abhorrence, and 
 virtue to honour and imitation. His own heart 
 being upright, his purpose is to illustrate the 
 Psalm xviii. 25, 26: "With the godly (merciful) 
 thou wilt observe thyselfe godly: with the 
 upright thou wilt shewe thyselfe upright : with 
 the pure thou wilt shewe thyselfe pure, and 
 with the froward thou wilt shewe thyselfe 
 
 * " The portrait is choice indeed. The forehead claims the 
 works, and the works the forehead. The fece is altogether 
 hea-M^iaV— Extract from Letter, M. E. 
 
20 
 
 PREAMBLE 
 
 froward";* and this he does in his embodi- 
 ment of character answering to these several 
 differences. 
 
 He is no plagiarist — he cannot purloin ; he 
 forms a just estimate of the work of all that 
 is worthy to his purpose, and moulds it in his 
 own inimitable fashion, that others may become 
 partakers of the gold which he has gathered 
 and refined. 
 
 This on the one hand, whilst on the other 
 hand he strips unsanctified life of its guile and 
 tawdry, and presents humanity's real condition, 
 in every rank of life, as it is. 
 
 What his highest ambition was is best 
 expressed in his own Sonnet, No. cxlvi., the last 
 in this selection, as follows : — 
 
 * The psalmist here speaketh of God according to our 
 capacitie, who sheweth mercie to his, and punisheth the 
 wicked. — Margin, G. V, 
 
PREAMBLE 
 
 ' Poor soul, the center of my sinful earth 
 Fool'd by those rebel powers that thee array, 
 Why dost thou pine within, and suffer dearth. 
 Painting thy outward walls so costly gay ? 
 Why so large cost, having so short a lease. 
 Dost thou upon thy fading mansion spend ? 
 Shall worms, inheritors of this excess. 
 Eat up thy charge ? Is this thy body's end ? 
 Then, soul, live thou upon thy servant's loss. 
 And let that pine, to aggravate* thy store ; 
 Buy terms divine in selling hours of dross ; 
 Within, be fed, without, be rich no more. 
 So shalt thou feed on death that feeds on men. 
 And death, once dead, there's no more dying then. 
 
 The sense of "aggravate" is, clearly, increase, 
 the primary synonym. 
 
PREAMBLE 
 
 Many generous and sympathetic readers of 
 the first edition of this Work have warmly 
 expressed their approval of the manner and 
 measure of the author's endeavour to display 
 what he has found in some of the writings of 
 our Poet, and to them he tenders his very 
 grateful thanks. 
 
 C. E. 
 Lyme Regis, 1897. 
 
PREFACE 
 
 23 
 
 PREFACE 
 
 TO 
 
 SONNETS— FIRST EDITION. 
 
 J HE name of Shakspeare is the greatest 
 in our Literature."* He was the glory of 
 his Age, and is the glory of the present Age. 
 "The noblest literary man of all time," writes 
 Henry Irving, " the finest and yet most prolific 
 writer — the greatest student of man, and the 
 greatest master of man's highest gift, — of 
 language — surely it is treason to humanity to 
 speak of such an one as in any sense a common 
 place being. 
 
 " Imagine him rather as he must have been) 
 the most notable courtier of the court, the 
 most perfect gentleman who stood in the 
 Elizabethan throng. 
 
 * Hallau. 
 
24 
 
 PREFACE 
 
 "The man in whose presence divines would 
 falter and hesitate, lest their knowledge of 
 'The Book' should seem poor by the side of 
 his, and at whom even queenly royalty would 
 look askance with an oppressive sense that 
 there was one to whose . , . true imagination 
 the hearts of kings and queens and peoples 
 had always been an open page! 
 
 "The thought of such a man is an incom- 
 parable inheritance for any nation, and such 
 a man was . . . Shakespeare."* 
 
 In this volume are presented fifty jewels of 
 thought wrought by that deft hand, selected 
 from the one hundred and fifty-four Sonnets 
 extant. 
 
 As they exist in their accepted consecutive 
 
 * (Sir) Henry Irving, Lectures on the Drama. 
 (W. Heinemann, 1893.) 
 
order they are buried — lost to the general 
 reader, and barred to the Christian life. 
 
 " His genius," says a recent writer, " was 
 colossal, raising him far above all other men 
 that ever lived, yet he is nearer to us . . . than 
 any other. . . . Truly he was titled ' the gentle,' 
 for while he instructs, he does not lecture ; 
 though he reproves, he never jibes." "We 
 believe," says the same, "that the home edu- 
 cation of William Shakespeare was grounded 
 upon the Bible, and that if this Book had 
 been sealed to his childhood, he might have 
 been the Poet of nature — of passion — his 
 humour might have been as rich as we find it, 
 and his wit as pointed, but that he would not 
 have been the Poet of the most profound as 
 well as the most tolerant philosophy; his 
 insight into the nature of man (his meanness 
 
and his grandeur, his weakness and his strength) 
 would not have been what it is."* 
 
 The Sonnets were first printed in the year 
 1609 by G. Eld for Thomas Thorp, publisher 
 and bookseller, 4to, 40 leaves — seven years 
 only before the end. 
 
 They were dedicated, not by the Poet, but 
 by Thorp, to Mr. W. H-.-h to whom he attri- 
 
 • (Major) James Walter, Shakespear^s True Life. 
 (Longmans, 1890.) 
 
 t That 'W. H." stands for 'William Herbert," afterwards Earl of 
 Pembroke, needs no question. He was 3rd Earl, and died childless, 
 1630 — fourteen years later than our Poet. He was grandson of Sir 
 William Herbert, of the Household of King Henry the VIZI., created 
 Earl of Pembroke, issr. 
 
 The Earldom was, indeed, of more ancient date — 1468, but lapsed in 
 tbe * Wars of the Roses.* 
 
 He was sometime Chancellor of the University of Oxford, and himself 
 a Poet and Patron of Leammg. 
 
 Shaksspeake at Marlborough.— Mr. Scott, the able head of the 
 MS. Department of the British Museum (an old Marlbnrian), has been 
 examining the documents in the Town Clerk's office, and has found that 
 in 1592 the acting company of William Herbert, 3rd Earl of Pembroke, 
 visited Marlborough. This was the company to which William Shakespeare 
 belonged, so there is little doubt that our great poet actually performed 
 one of his own plays in Marlborough. The Mayor and Corporation paid 
 them the sum of £\i odd, which would be, it is supposed, equivalent to- 
 about ;£i56 in those days.— From The Marlhormgh Times, Saturday, 
 27th June, 1896. 
 
butes the honour of being the Poet's friend, 
 and to whom they were addressed, although 
 it is plain they were not all, or generally 
 to one and the same friend. 
 
 '*The precise form of words of dedication." 
 says Collier, is 
 
 TO THE ONLY BEGETTER OF 
 
 THESE ENSUING SONNETS 
 
 MT. W. H. ALL HAPPINESSE 
 
 AND THAT ETERNITIE 
 
 PROMISED. 
 
 BY 
 
 OUR EVER LIVING POET 
 
 WISHETH 
 
 THE WELLWISHING 
 
 ADVENTURER IN 
 
 SETTING 
 
 FORTH 
 
 T. T. 
 
 The first group, or Poem, is 
 
 Nos. I to 26 ; 
 
 the second, Nos. 27 to 55 ; the third, Nos. 56 
 
28 
 
 PREFACE 
 
 to jy ; the fourth, Nos. y% to loi ; the fifth, 
 Nos. 102 to 126. Of the remaining 28 — Nos. 
 127 to 154, some were seemingly addressed 
 to a lady, not the whole, as Collier assumes ; 
 for Nos. 129, 143, and 146 need have no such 
 attribution. 
 
 From the first division 6 have been drawn ; 
 from the second, 1 1 ; from the third, 8 ; from 
 the fourth, 7 ; from the fifth, 18 ; and from the 
 sixth, 3.* 
 
 If in the estimation of all scholars gifted 
 with a just sense of poetic worth, the author 
 is " the greatest of Poets of any age," it is, 
 doubtless, because he never failed to unite with 
 the sublime the tenderest natural sympathies 
 of the human heart, refined by a spirituality 
 of more or less pronounced significance. 
 
 These figures vary from First Edition, there being now 53. 
 
 «' 
 
PREFACE 
 
 29 
 
 Some true Poets have written a few good 
 hymns, yet amongst these none have succeeded 
 in expressing their thoughts with the felicity 
 and strength of these glorious sonnets, which 
 harmoniously flow in perfect accord with the 
 highest aspirations, to the honour and praise 
 of Him who is above all. 
 
 It is no fancy, but an admitted truth, that 
 the spiritual mind of our author is brought to 
 light by the light of the Bible (Psalm cxix. 
 105), and his deep musings therein found their 
 delightful embodiment in a poetic correspond- 
 ence with one or more earthly friends.* 
 
 The attentive reader will not fail to discover 
 
 • "We can scarcely open (the pages), of Shakspeare," says 
 Mr. Selkirk of Selkirk, "as if by accident, without encountering 
 one or other of the great truths (of the Bible) which his genius 
 has assimilated and reproduced in words that seem to renew 
 its authority and strengthen its claims upon men's attention." 
 
3° 
 
 PREFACE 
 
 this, assisted by the quotations selected to this 
 purpose, conveniently set to face each Sonnet 
 as " an adjunct pleasure." 
 
 Although the Poet's primary aim was not to 
 display his spirituality to a general reader, if he 
 ever pondered such a thing, he had never the 
 wish to hide from his friend or from anyone 
 the exalted views which he had derived from 
 the study of the Scriptures. On the contrary, 
 it is evident that he wrote at all times as 
 prompted by the warmth of his heart, with 
 the manly dignity so conspicuous in all His 
 writings.* 
 
 * The following well defines this ; appropriately, without 
 design : " God does not reveal Himself to all alike, and many 
 hold secret communion with Him who hardly express themselves 
 more than in tone of their life and conversation ; and to many, 
 such is only safe or natural, but the reality must always appear." 
 
 Letter— M. E. to C. E., yd January, 1896. 
 
«. 
 
 PREFACE 
 
 31 
 
 Lastly be it said, if anything short of an 
 abundant acceptance awaits this offering, the 
 many hours expended in its production have 
 been its own reward, and must so continue 
 while solace by the way' is a felt need of daily 
 life. C. E. 
 
 Incidentally, here it is only right to record that during the ten 
 or more years of the conception and preparation of this work, 
 Mr. Selkirk's book, 'Bible truths, with Shakspearian 
 parallels' (1878), has remained unknown to, and unheard of 
 by this author ; and, until after the MS. was in the Publisher's 
 hands : — this, however, may be apparent to the intelligent 
 reader both by the design and the treatment in each.— C. E. 
 
32 
 
 AUTOGRAPHS 
 
 
 fv*- 
 
 s. 
 
 * httm ^Z? 
 
 ^' 
 
 '^:^fj^k?^i^^ &ifth^ 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 33 
 
 AUTOGRAPHS. 
 
 Nos. 
 I &2. 
 
 Of these four autographs of William Shakspeare, 
 the first two are from a volume of autographs 
 collected by J. Gough Nichols, and published by 
 J. B. Nichols and Son, 1829. 
 
 'Will™ Shakspere' is from one written on the 
 fly-leaf of the English translation of Montaigne's 
 Essays, by John Florio, printed in folio, 1603, and 
 at the time taken was in the possession of the 
 Rev. E. Patteson, of East Sheen. 
 
 Is a copy, as given by Nicholas Rowe, 1823, 
 from the signature of the will, now deposited in the 
 Prerogative Office, Doctors' Commons. 
 
34 
 
 SHAKSPBARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 THE PRELUDE. 
 I. 
 
 " My gentle Shakspeare ! " 
 
 "he 
 Who casts to write a living line, must sweat 
 (Such as thine are*) and strike the second heat 
 Upon the Muse's anvil ; turn the same 
 (And himself with it) that he thinks to frame, 
 Or, for a laurel he may gain a scorn. 
 For a good Poet 's made as well as born, 
 And such wert thou " 
 ******* 
 
 Sweet Swan of Avon." 
 
 Ben Jonson. 
 
 * Shakspeare himself styles them "my unpolished lines'' — in his 
 dedication to Henry Wriothsley, Earl of Southampton. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 35 
 
 THE PRELUDE. 
 
 'ON WORTHY MASTER SHAKSPEARE 
 AND HIS POEMS.' 
 
 " His verse shall live ; 
 And more than nature takes our hands shall give 
 In a less volume, but more strongly bound 
 Shakspeare shall breathe and speak ; with laurel 
 
 crown'd 
 Which never fades.'' 
 
 J. M. S. 
 
 *»» "Possibly," says Payne Collier, "J. M. S. is John Milton, Student, 
 for we know of no other Poet of the time capable of writing this surpassing 
 tribute." J- ^- C 
 
 {Jhe complete "tribute" is in 38 couplets.) 
 
36 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 PROEMIAL. 
 
 " ' Stratford-on-Avon ! ' No one ever fails to be 
 impressed by that particular hour in his life when his 
 gaze first falls upon the quaint old abode in the rural 
 street where the mighty genius of Shakespeare was given 
 to his country. Prince or peasant, lord or labourer, 
 statesman or serving-man, philosopher or tinker, we all 
 of us come face to face there with one of the deepest 
 mysteries of humanity — the uprise, that is to say, of 
 these great and gifted natures which appear so capri- 
 ciously, and yet exercise such prodigious influence. 
 
 " Shakespeare's name is — by the common consent of 
 all entitled to judge — one of those necessarily few names 
 in human records which have passed beyond criticism 
 into a region of perpetual admiration, delight, and 
 instruction. 
 
 " How little he has let us know of himself, how mys- 
 terious and unpenetrated is the disguise which his 
 splendid spirit wore in that plain Warwickshire name, 
 and that simple, day by day, common place life in 
 London and the country." 
 
 Daily Telegraph, 
 
 17th May, 1895. 
 
38 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 PROEMIAL. 
 
 " Christ alone is the King of spirits and souls." 
 
 ***** 
 "The gardener while he prunes his vines and 
 arbours may record some of David's Sonnets." 
 
 John Hales, 
 'The Ever Memorable," 
 
 A.D. 1584-1650. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 39 
 
 PROEMIAL. 
 
 IV. 
 
 "Cranslatfon of tbe Bible. 
 
 But to outweigh all harm, the sacred Book, 
 
 In dusty sequestration wrapt too long, 
 
 Assumes the accents of our native tongue ; 
 
 And he who guides the plough or wields the crook 
 
 With understanding spirit now may look 
 
 Upon her records, listen to her song, 
 
 And sift her laws — much wondering that the wrong 
 
 Which faith has suffered, heaven could calmly brook : 
 
 Transcendent boon ! . . . . 
 
 W. Wordsworth. 
 
PROEMIAL. 
 
 V. 
 
 Zbc Uercentenars of Sbaftspeare's 3Birtb. 
 
 From the Archbishop of Dublin's Sermon, 
 preached at Strafford-on-Avonf Sunday, 24th April, 1864, 
 
 James i. 17. 
 
 "Shakspeare was the child of England— of the Reformation. He was 
 born of its spirit 
 
 "As we read his works we feel that justice walks the world, delaying, 
 it may be, but not forgetting ; as is ever the manner of the Divine 
 Avenger. .... 
 
 " He who towers above every other is memorable b^ all which we know 
 him for, the equable and harmonious developments of his whole being, . . . 
 the dear heir of a memory which the world would never let die 
 
 "Men attain heaven, not soaring on the wings of genius, but patiently 
 climbing up the stairs of faith, and love, and obedience.^ The brightest 
 crowns are doomed to wither ; there is but one amaranthine crown— even 
 chat which Christ gives to them, be they high or low, wise or simple, 
 emperors or clowns, ivho have loved, and served, and obeyed Him. 
 
 "For myself, I am strong in my belief, that from one so gentle, so tender, 
 so just, so true as Shakspeare, the grace to make this highest consecration 
 was not withholden ; that we have the right to number him with Dante, 
 with Spenser, with Milton, and with all that august company of poets, 
 'who sing and are ever singing in their (the) glory.' His intim ate, na y^ 
 in one sense, profound acqu aintance witlu tlie-ScriDtuxes,jj)_Qae can doubt, 
 or the strc^^^rasp which H e had on their cen tral truth. He knew the" deep 
 corruptibnof^oiir fallen riature^the Hesperate wickedness of the heart of 
 man ; else he could never have put into the mouth of a Prince of stainless 
 life such a confession as this : ' I am myself indifferent honest ; but yet I 
 could accuse me of such things, that it were better my mother had not 
 borne me. I am very proud, revengeful, ambitious ; with more offences at 
 my beck, than I have thoughts to put them in, imagination to give them 
 shape, or time to act them in.' * 
 
 " He has set forth the scheme of our redemption in words as lovely as 
 have ever proceeded from any uninspired pen." 
 
 Richard Chhnevix Trench, D.D. 
 
AT THE 
 
 TERCENTENARY. 
 
 Stratford-on-Avon, 1864. 
 
 'T is the sabbath — fair the day, 
 Shall we not with Shakspeare pray ? 
 To the Church the votaries speed 
 (Space, the Gothic Fane doth need). 
 * Trench, the critic-Bishop, rises, 
 And with eloquence surprises, 
 For he took our hearts along. 
 Less with sermon than with song ; 
 More than sermon, us to tell 
 All our Shakspeare had done well ; 
 Thus to picture what we owe 
 In our joy, as in our woe, ^ 
 
 To the Poet-friend of man 
 Shed throughout our little span ; 
 Near those hallow'd reliques standing. 
 Tone and attitude commanding, 
 Well the preacher then did preach. 
 Much to charm and much to teach. 
 
 * Dr. R. C. Trench, Archbishop of Dublin, on 24th April, 1864, 
 preached from James i. 17. 
 
 " Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above." — A. 
 
42 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 The Reader 
 
 What have we here? 
 
 The Writer 
 
 Enquire with seeking eye; 
 And with attentive ear. 
 Draw nigh : 
 Do more — take off your coat. 
 
 Whether it be 
 Of texture to promote 
 
 Despondency, 
 Or doubt, or fear, 
 
 Or, haply, scorn 
 {To wither with a sneer): 
 
 No matter, rough or shorn, 
 Dig deep 
 Into the depths where hidden lie 
 Jewels, which, coming by 
 
 Shall make you leap 
 With joy {or weep); 
 But once in joy, posses^d. 
 You m.ust and shall be bles^d. 
 
SHAKSPf^ARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 43 
 
 MERCHANT 
 
 OF 
 
 VENICE. 
 
44 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 " Shakspeare's sovereign knowledge of the world, 
 instead of making him cynical and austere, makes him 
 charitable and gentle. ... He is as conciliatory as he is 
 great. 
 
 "Between the Ucence of chivalric manners and the 
 severer morality which the Reformation and the new-bom 
 study of the sacred writings were destined to introduce 
 . . . there was in the characters of the men of the world 
 a singular mixture of qualities fair and noble, and foul 
 and mean, the mixture being sustained by a third element 
 of intellectual activity or poetic grace." 
 
 BULWER- Lytton. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 45 
 
 [Original Title. ] 
 
 '♦^be Escellent Ibtstorg 
 
 OF 
 
 THE 
 
 MERCHANT 
 
 VENICE 
 
 A Drama by William Shakspeare 
 
 Printed by JAMES ROBERTS 
 
 For WILLIAM HAIES 
 
 1600" 
 
" I 've heard those say, that travel to the West, 
 Whence this belovdd metal is increas't, 
 That in the places where such minerals be 
 Is neither grass nor herb, nor plant nor tree, 
 And like enough ; for this at home I find, 
 Those who too earnestly employ the mind 
 About that trash, have hearts (I dare uphold) 
 As barren as the place where men dig gold.* 
 
 G. Wither* 
 
 "Shakspere," says Wieland, "has seized upon the 
 grandest idea with which we can survey the firmament." 
 
 Lorenzo. Sit, Jessica : look how the floor of 
 heaven 
 Is thick inlaid with patterns of bright gold ; 
 There 's not the smallest orb, which thou behold'st. 
 But in his motion like an angel sings, 
 Still quiring to the young-ey'd cherubins : 
 Such harmony is in immortal souls ; 
 But, whilst this muddy vesture of decay 
 Doth grossly close it in, we cannot hear it. 
 
 Act v., Scene I. 
 
 " Without Christ all gain is loss, 
 All hope despair, that stands not on His cross." 
 
 ' Hope ' — CowPER. 
 
 * " Wither seems everywhere bursting with a love of goodness and a 
 hatred of all low and base actions." — Charles Lamb. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 47 
 
 A READING 
 
 SHAKSPEARE' S PLAY 
 
 MERCHANT OF VENICE 
 
 Biblical Ibarmonies 
 
 SELECTED AND ARRANGED 
 
 BY 
 
 C. E. 
 
 'mercie rejoyceth against judgement.- 
 
 1897 
 
 «" 
 
48 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 [Gold, Silver, Lead. By these three emblems may be suggested the 
 greed of Avarice. Gold. — The command, " Go, work," with its requital, 
 "Pay me my wages." Silver. — And the softer service (only harder by 
 injustice), willing, free service, yet subject in self-abasement. Self- 
 effacement, easily impressed— the ductile lead.] 
 
 ^be fountaine of Xife. 
 
 Genevan Version, i6o5. 
 
 " Oh, this people have sinned a great sinne, and have 
 made them gods of gold." — Exodus xxxii. 31. 
 
 "If I made golde mine hope, or have said to the 
 wedge of gold, thou art my confidence, if I rejoyced 
 because my substance was great, or because mine hand 
 had gotten much, .... let thistles grow instead of 
 wheate." — Job xxxi. 24, 25, 40. 
 
 "Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went 
 unto the chiefe priests and sayd, what will ye give me, 
 and I will deliver him unto you.' and they appointed 
 unto him 'i!aa\.y pieces of silver." — S. Matthew xxvi. 14, 15. 
 
 " The desire of money is the roote of all evill, which, 
 while some lusted after, they erred from the faith, and 
 pearced themselves thorow with many sorrowes, but 
 thou, O man of God, flee these things, and follow after 
 righteousnes, godlines, faith, love, patience, meeknesse." 
 — I Timothy vi. 10, 11. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 MERCHANT OF VENICE. 
 
 Act III. Scene II. 
 
 AJK^HE Poet meditates on the good and evil influences 
 ■^ ever acting upon mankind to their happy freedom 
 from strife, or to their unrest and confusion, and having 
 himself learned that the grace of God alone can preserve 
 the one or foil the other, either to Jew or Gentile, he 
 proceeds to the display of both conditions by examples. 
 
 BELMONT. 
 
 An apartment in the house of Portia, a rich heiress. 
 
 Three suitors for her hand are — 
 Prince OF Morocco. 
 Prince of Arragon. 
 Bassanio (a friend of the Merchant of Venice), 
 
 Before each of these, in turn, are set three caskets — 
 
 gold, silver, lead. In one of these Portia's portrait is 
 
 .^concealed, the discovery of which betokens acceptance, 
 
 each suitor first swearing to observe three certain 
 
 injunctions. 
 
so 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 ^be jfountaine. 
 
 "The Lord hath set thee up this day, to be a 
 precious people unto him (as hee hath promised thee) 
 and that thou shouldest keepe all his commandments." 
 — Deuteronomie xxvi. i8. 
 
 "Ah, sinful! nation, .... they have provoked the 
 holy one of Israel to anger ; they are gone backward. 
 — Isaiah i. 4. 
 
 "My vowes will I performe before them that fear 
 him." — Psalme xxii. 25. 
 
 " Thou shalt not forsweare thy selfe but shalt performe 
 thine othes to the Lord." — S. Matthew v. 33. 
 
 " Every one of the tribes of the children of Israel shall 
 sticke to his owne inheritance." — Numbers xxxvi. 9. 
 
 "Ye entred not in yourselves and them that came in, ye 
 forbade." — S. Luke xi. 52. 
 
 "Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstaine 
 from meates which God hath created to be received with 
 giving thankes of them which beleeve and know the 
 truth : for every creature of God is good, and nothing 
 ought to be refused, if it bee received with thankesgiving 
 for it is sanctified by the Worde of God and prayer." 
 — I Epistle to Timotheus iv. 3, 4, 5. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 SI 
 
 MERCHANT OF VENICE. 
 
 Act III. Scene II. 
 
 Enter Bassanio, Portia, S-'f. 
 (The caskets set out.) 
 
 Portia. I could teach you 
 
 How to choose right, but then I am foresworn ; 
 So, will I never be : so may you miss me ; 
 But if you do, you'll make me wish a sin. 
 That I had been foresworn. Beshrew your eyes. 
 They* have o'erlook'd me, and divided me ; 
 One half of me is yours, the other half yours — 
 Mine own, I would say ; but if mine, then yours, 
 And so, all yours ! O these naughty times 
 Put bars between the owners and their rights ; 
 And so though yours, not yours. Prove it so. 
 ****** 
 
 I speak too long ; but 't is to peize the time. 
 To eke it, and to draw it out in length, 
 To stay you from election. 
 
 Bassanio. Let me choose ; 
 
 For as I am, I live upon the rack. 
 
 'They,' the two princes. 
 
52 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 " Upon the rack," to tear out confession of treason ; but his love is pure— 
 an extorted confession is not a penitent one. An honest confession must be 
 free and without sophistry — without dissimulation. "Confess and live^* is 
 from. Christ ; *' Confess and love " is to Christ. 
 
 ^be ifountaine. 
 
 " Though I walke in the middes of trouble j^^ wilt thou 
 revive me : thou wilt stretch foorth thine hand upon the 
 wrath of mine enemies and thy right hand shall save 
 mee." — Psalme cxxxviii. 7. 
 
 " When (Peter) saw a mighty wind, hee was afraid : 
 and as he beganne to sinke, he cried, saying, Master, 
 save me. So immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand 
 and caught him and sayd to him, O thou of little faith, 
 wherefore diddest thou doubt?" 5. Matthew xiv. 30, 31. 
 
 "Jesus heard that they had cast (the blind man) out : 
 and when hee had found him, hee said unto him, doest 
 thou beleeve in the Sonne of God? he answered and 
 said, Who is hee Lord that I might beleeve in him, and 
 Jesus said unto him both thou hast seene him, and he it is 
 that talketh with thee. Then he said. Lord, I beleeve, 
 and worshipped him." — John ix. 35-38. 
 
 "There they were afraid for feare, where no feare 
 was." — Psalme liii. 5. 
 
Portia. Upon the rack, Bassanio ? then confess 
 j What treason there is mingled with your love. 
 
 Bassanio. None, but that ugly treason of mistrust. 
 Which makes me fear th' enjoying of my love. 
 There may as well be amity of life 
 'Tween snow and fire, as treason and my love. 
 
 Portia. Ay, but I fear, you speak upon the rack, 
 Where men, enforced, do speak anything. 
 
 Bassanio. Promise me life, and I 'II confess the truth. 
 
 Portia. Well then, confess and live. 
 
 Bassanio. Confess, and love, 
 
 Had been the very sum of my confession. 
 O, happy torment, when my torturer 
 Doth teach me answers for deliverance ! 
 But let me to my fortune, and the caskets. 
 
S4 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 True love is controlled and led by an unseen hand, and the sought one is 
 a load-star. The unsettled, unstable, and double-minded are caught in 
 many snares— " and* many are weak." 
 
 ZCbe jfountaine. 
 
 " The love of Christ constraineth us : because we thus 
 judge, that if one bee dead for all, then were all dead : and 
 he died for all, that they which live, should not hencefoorth 
 live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, 
 and rose again." — 2 Corinthians v. 14, 15. 
 
 "When (Paul) was called forth, TertuUus (a certaine 
 Orateur) began to accuse him, saying, seeing that wee 
 have obtained great quietnesse through thee, and that 
 many worthy things are done unto this nation, through 
 thy providence, wee acknowledge it wholly, and in all 
 places, most noble Felix, with all thanks. But that I bee 
 not tedious unto thee, I pray thee, that thou wouldest 
 heare us of thy courtesie, a few words. Certaynely we 
 have found this man, a pestilent fellow." — Acts xxiv. 2-5. 
 
 "Before these times rose up Theudas, boasting him- 
 selfe, to whom resorted a number of men, ... - who was 
 slaine, and they all which obeyed him were scattered." — 
 Acts V. 36. 
 
MERCHANT OF VENICE 
 
 Act III. Scene II. 
 
 Portia. Away then. I am lock'd in one of them : 
 If you do love me, you will find me out. 
 
 ****** 
 
 Go, Hercules ! 
 Live thou, I live : with much, much more dismay 
 I view the fight than thou that mak'st the fray. 
 
 Bassanio. So may the outward shows be least 
 themselves : 
 The world is still deceived with ornament. 
 In law, what plea so tainted and corrupt 
 But, being season'd with a gracious voice, 
 Obscures the show of evil ? In religion, 
 What damndd error, but some sober brow 
 WiU bless it, and approve it with a text. 
 Hiding the grossness with fair ornament ? 
 There is no vice so simple but assumes 
 Some mark of virtue on his outward parts : 
 How many cowards, whose hearts are all as false 
 As stairs of sand, wear yet upon their chins 
 The beards of Hercules and frowning Mars, 
 Who, inward search'd, have livers white as milk, 
 And these assume but valour's excrement 
 To render them redoubted. 
 
56 
 
 SBAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 False appearances— gold, silver, outward show, deceit, vanity — "beware 
 least thou be taken in a snare." 
 
 ^be ifountaine. 
 
 " The Lord had respect unto Habel and to his offering, 
 but unto Kain, and to his offering, he had no regard."* 
 — Genesis iv. 4, 5. 
 
 " He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver. 
 . . . When goods increase, they are increased that eate 
 them : and what good cometh to the owners thereof, but 
 the beholding thereof with their eyes." — Ecclesiasles 
 V. 9, 10. 
 
 " Their idoles are silver and gold." — Psahne cxv. 4. 
 
 " My fruite is better then golde, and my revenues better 
 then fine silver." — Proverbs viii. 19. 
 
 "Jezebel .... painted her face, and tyred her head, 
 and looked out at a window." — 2 Kings ix. 30. 
 
 "O ye sonnes of men, how long will ye turne my 
 glory into shame, loving vanitie and seeking lies." — 
 Psalme iv. 2. 
 
 " I hate all the way as of falshood." — Psahne cxix. 104. 
 
 * *' Because he was an hypocrite and offered only an outward shew.' 
 Marginal note. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 57 
 
 MERCHANT OF VENICE. 
 
 Act III. Scene II. 
 
 Bassanio. Look on beauty, 
 
 And you shall see 't is purchas'd by the weight ; 
 Which therein works a miracle in nature. 
 Making them lightest that wear most of it : 
 So are those crisped, snaky, golden locks, 
 Which make such wanton gambols with the wind, 
 Upon supposed fairness, often known 
 To be the dowry of a second head. 
 The scull that bred them, in the sepulchre. 
 Thus ornament is but the guildd shore 
 To a most dangerous sea, the beauteous scarf 
 Veiling an Indian beauty ; in a word 
 The seeming truth which cunning times put on 
 To entrap the wisest. Therefore, thou gaudy gold. 
 Hard food for Midas, I will none of thee. 
 Nor none of thee, thou pale and common drudge 
 'Tween man and man : but thou, thou meagre lead, 
 Which rather threat'nest than dost promise aught. 
 Thy paleness moves me more than eloquence. 
 And here choose I. Joy be the consequence ! 
 
K 
 
 58 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 Fear— despair— jealousy, are passions which work unto great catastrophes, 
 but these are less potent than love, which moves the soul to a free surrender 
 of all we have and all we are. It is this, and this alone, that operates to 
 enable nature to cast all into the inviting vacant scale in Christ, which is 
 love divine — discovered. 
 
 ^be fountains 
 
 "Let no wickednesse dwell in thy tabernacle. Then 
 truly shalt thou lift up thy face without spot, and shalt 
 bee stable, and shalt not ie^a.re."—Job xi. 14, 15. 
 
 " I sawe that there is profit in wisedome, more than in 
 folly: as the light is more excellent then darknesse." 
 — Ecclesiastes ii. 13. 
 
 "Let your patient mind" (moderation) "be knowen 
 unto all men." — Philipians iv. 5. 
 
 "Strengthened with all might through his glorious 
 power unto all patience." — Colossians i. 11. 
 
 " I have compared thee* O my love, to the troupe of 
 horses in the Charets of Pharoah." — Song i. 8. 
 
 " Turne away thine eyes from me : for they overcome 
 mee." — Song vi. 4. 
 
 " Set me as a seale in thine heart, and as a signet upon 
 thine arme: for love is strong as death: jealousie is cruell 
 as the grave ; the coles thereof are fierie coles, and a 
 vehement flame. Much water cannot quench love." — 
 Song viii. 6, 7. 
 
 * "For thy spiritual beautie and excellencie there was no worldly treasure 
 to be compared unto thee." — Marginal note. 
 
MERCHANT OF VENICE. 
 
 Act III. Scene II. 
 
 Portia. How all the other passions fleet to air, 
 As doubtful thoughts, and rash embrac'd despair, 
 And shuddering fear and green-ey'd jealousy. 
 O, love ! be moderate ; allay thy ectacy ; 
 In measure rain thy joy ; scant this excess : 
 I feel too much thy blessing ; make it less, 
 For fear I surfeit ! 
 
 Bassanio. What find I here ? 
 
 [Opening the leaden caske{\ 
 Fair Portia's counterfeit ! what demi-god 
 Hath come so near creation ? move, these eyes ? 
 Or whither, riding on the balls of mine. 
 Seem they in motion ? here are sever'd lips. 
 Parted with sugar breath ; so sweet a bar 
 Should sunder such sweet friends. Here, in her hairs, 
 The painter plays the spider, and hath woven 
 A golden mesh t' entrap the hearts of men, 
 Faster than gnats in cobwebs ; but her eyes ! — 
 How could he see to do them ? having made one, 
 Methinks, it should have power to steal both his, 
 And leave itself unfumish'd ; yet, look, how far 
 The substance of my praise doth wrong this shadow 
 In underprizing it, so far, this shadow 
 Doth limp behind the substance. 
 
6o 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 The "giver" comes to receive, being invited, and "without all contra- 
 diction," comingj obtains much more than the receiver. 
 
 ^be 3fountaine. 
 
 "We waite for thy loving-kindnesse O God in the 
 mids of thy Temple. O God, according unto thy Name, 
 so is thy praise unto the world's end : thy right hand is 
 full of righteousnesse." — Psaltne xlviii. 9, 10. 
 
 " The lot is cast into the lappe : but the whole disposi- 
 tion thereof is of the Lord." — Proverbs xvi. 33. 
 
 " This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in 
 our eyes." — Psalme cxviii. 23. 
 
 " The Lord looketh downe from heaven, and beholdeth 
 all the children of men. From the habitation of his 
 dwelling he beholdeth al them that dwel in the earth. 
 He fashioneth their hearts, every one, and understandeth 
 all their works." — Psalme xxxiii. 13, 14. 
 
 ("We walke by fayth, and not by sight.") — 2 Corinthians 
 V. 7. 
 
 "Let him kisse mee with the kisses of his mouth." 
 — Song i. I. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 6i 
 
 MERCHANT OF VENICE. 
 
 Act III. Scene II. 
 
 Bassanio. Here's the scroll, 
 
 The continent and summary of my fortune. 
 
 " You that choose not by the view, 
 Chance as fair, and choose as true ! 
 Since this fortune falls to you, 
 Be content, and seek no new. 
 If you be well pleas'd with this. 
 And hold your fortune for your bliss. 
 Turn you where your lady is, 
 And claim her with a loving kiss." 
 
 A gentle scroll. Fair lady, by your leave ; 
 
 \Kissin^ her\ 
 I come by note, to give, and to receive. 
 Like one of two contending in a prize. 
 That thinks he hath done well in people's eyes, 
 Hearing applause, and universal shout. 
 Giddy in spirit, still gazing, in a doubt 
 Whether those peals of praise be his or no ; 
 So, thrice, fair lady, stand I, even so. 
 As doubtful whether what I see be true. 
 Until confirm'd, sign'd, ratified by you. 
 
62 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 When the believer in the promised life would render to the Promiser due 
 service, "ten thousand times more" than is possible, it would not satisfy 
 him: What once was bright fades out of sight, while what was blank 
 shines with entrandng splendour. 
 
 ^be fountaine. 
 
 "The eyes of the seeing shall not bee shut, and the 
 eares of them that heare shall hearken and the heart 
 of the foolish shall understand knowledge, and the 
 tongue of the stutters shall bee ready to speake 
 distinctly. A niggard shall no more be called liberall, 
 nor the churle, rich : but the niggard will speake of 
 niggardnesse, and his heart will worke iniquitie and 
 doe wickedly and speake falsely against the Lord, to 
 make empty the hungry soule, and to cause the drinke 
 of the thirstie to faile, for the weapons of the churle 
 are wicked : hee deviseth wicked counsels to undoe 
 the poore with lying wordes, and to speake against the 
 poore in judgement." — Isaiah xxxii. 3-8. 
 
 " For ye know of our Lord Jesus Christ, that he being 
 rich, for your sakes became poore that ye through his 
 poverty might be made rich." — 2 Corinthians viii. 9. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 63 
 
 MERCHANT OF VENICE. 
 
 Act III. Scene II. 
 
 Portia. You see me, Lord Bassanio, where I stand 
 Such as I am : though, for myself alone 
 I would not be ambitious in my wish, 
 To wish myself much better ; yet for you 
 I would be trebled twenty times myself ; 
 A thousand times more fair, ten thousand times 
 More rich, 
 
 That only to stand high in your account, 
 I might in virtues, beauties, livings, friends. 
 Exceed account : but the full sum of me 
 Is sum of nothing ; which, to term in gross, 
 Is an unlesson'd girl, unschool'd, unpractis'd : 
 Happy in this, she is not yet so old 
 But she may learn ; happier than this, 
 She is not bred so dull, but she can learn ; 
 Happiest of all is, that her gentle spirit 
 Conmiits itself to yours to be directed. 
 As from her Lord, her Governor, her King. 
 Myself, and what is mine, to you, and yours 
 Is now converted : but now I was the lord 
 Of this fair mansion, master of my servants, 
 Queen o'er myself; and even now, but now. 
 This house, these servants, and this same, myself, 
 Are yours, my lord. 
 
64 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 The token of faithfulness is a ring of pure gold, attesting the sumptuous 
 gift to be binding alilce on giver and receiver. 
 
 ZTbe fountaine. 
 
 "And Pharoah took off his ring from his hand, and 
 put it upon Joseph's hand, and arayed him in garments 
 of fine linnen, and put a golden chaine about his 
 necke." — Genesis xli. 42. 
 
 " The King tooke off his ring . . . and gave it unto 
 Mordecai . . . and Mordecai went out from the King 
 in royal apparell of bleu and white and with a great 
 crowne of gold, and with a garmente of fine linnen and 
 purple, and the citie of Shushan rejoyced and was 
 glad." — Esther VTM.. 2-15. 
 
 " Blessed are the pure in heart : for they shall see 
 God."— 5. Matthew v. 8. 
 
 "The people were astonied at his doctrine." — 
 S. Matthew vii. 28. 
 
 " Much people heard him gladly." — S. Mark xii. 37. 
 
 " Be thou faithful unto the death, and I will give thee 
 the crowne of life." — Revelation ii. lo. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 65 
 
 MERCHANT OF VENICE. 
 
 Act III. Scene II. 
 
 Portia. I give them with this ring, 
 
 Which when you part from, lose, or give away, 
 Let it presage the ruin of your love, 
 And be my vantage to exclaim on you. 
 
 Bassanio. Madam, you have bereft me of all words : 
 Only my blood speaks to you in my veins ; 
 And there is such confusion in my powers. 
 As after some oration, fairly spoke 
 By a belovdd prince, there doth appear 
 Among the buzzing pleased multitude ; 
 Where every something, being blent together, 
 Turns to a wild of nothing, save of joy, 
 Express'd and not express'd. But when this ring 
 Parts from this finger, then parts life from hence : 
 O then be bold to say, Bassanio 's dead. 
 
 ****** 
 
66 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 The passion of love is compassion. The test of love is as by fire, which 
 expels every particle of dross. There will be nothing hidden or held back. 
 
 ZTbe fountaine. 
 
 " Thou, O Lord art a pitiful! God and merciful!, slow 
 to anger, and great in Icindnesse and truetli." — 
 Psalme Ixxxvi. 15. 
 
 " Tliy loving Icindnesse is better tlian life : therefore 
 my lips shall praise thee." — Psalme Ixiii. 3. 
 
 " I will marry thee unto mee for ever ; Yea, I will 
 marry thee unto mee in righteousnesse and in judgement, 
 and in mercie and in compassion." — Hosea ii. 19. 
 
 " Let love be without dissimulation." — Romans xii. 9. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 67 
 
 MERCHANT OF VENICE. 
 
 Act III. Scene II, 
 
 Enter Salerio, who gives Bassanio a letter. 
 
 Portia. There are some shrewd contents in yon 
 same paper, 
 That steal the colour from Bassanio's cheek : 
 Some dear friend dead, else nothing in the world 
 Could turn so much the constitution 
 Of any constant man. What, worse and worse ? 
 With leave, Bassanio ; I am half yourself, 
 And I must freely have the half of anything 
 That this same paper brings you. 
 
 Bassanio. O sweet Portia ! 
 
 Here are a few of the unpleasant'st words 
 That ever blotted paper. Gentle lady, 
 When I did first impart my love to you, 
 I freely told you, aU the wealth I had 
 Ran in my veins — I was a gentleman : 
 And then I told you true, and yet, dear lady. 
 Rating myself at nothing, you shall see 
 How much I was a braggart. When I told you 
 My state was nothing, I should then have told you, 
 That I was worse than nothing ; for, indeed, 
 I have engaged myself to a dear friend. 
 Engaged my friend to his mere enemy, 
 To feed my means. 
 
68 ' SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 The trial of love is commonly of a very painful nature, but when endured, 
 yields *' peaceable fruit," in which all share who sympathise with hand or 
 heart. 
 
 Z\iz ifountaine. 
 
 " Remember that thou wast a servant in the land 
 of Egypt, and the Lord thy God delivered thee." 
 — Deuteronomie xv. 15. 
 
 "(He that) hath restored the pledge to his debtor: 
 hee that hath spoyled none by violence, but hath given 
 his bread to the hungry and hath covered the naked with 
 a garment and hath not given forth upon usurie neither 
 hath taken any increase, but hath withdrawen his hand 
 from iniquitie, and hath executed true judgement between 
 man and man . . . and hath kept my judgement to deale 
 truely, he is just, he shall surely live." — Ezekiel xviii. 7-9. 
 
 "The love of Christ which passeth knowledge." 
 -^Ephesians iii. 19. 
 
 "Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with 
 another." — 5. Marke ix. 50. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 69 
 
 MERCHANT OF VENICE. 
 
 Act III. Scene II. 
 
 Bassanio. Here is a letter, lady ; 
 The paper as the body of my friend, 
 And every word in it a gaping wound, 
 Issuing life-blood. — But is it true, Salerio ? 
 Have all his ventures fail'd ? What, not one hit ? 
 From Tripolis, from Mexico, and England, 
 From Lisbon, Barbary, and India ? 
 And not one vessel 'scape the dreadful touch 
 Of merchant-marring rocks ? 
 
 Salerio. Not one, my lord. 
 
 Besides, it should appear, that if he had 
 The present money to discharge the Jew, 
 He would not take it. Never did I know 
 A creature, that did bear the shape of man, 
 So keen and greedy to confound a man. 
 He plies the Duke, at morning, and at night ; 
 And doth impeach the freedom of the state, 
 If they deny him justice : twenty merchants, 
 The Duke himself, and the magnificoes 
 Of greatest port, have all persuaded with him, 
 But none can drive him from the envious plea 
 Of forfeiture, of justice, and his bond. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 Although a large-hearted, uncalculating generosity dreams not of needing, 
 or requiring a return, as no earnest and active soul in this life's journey can 
 escape the common enemies, his good deeds are ever had in remembrance. 
 
 ^be ifountaine. 
 
 (THE GRACE OF GOD.) 
 
 "The Barbarians showed us no little kindnesse: for 
 they kindled a fire and received us everyone, because of 
 the present showre and because of the cold. . . . The 
 chiefe man of the He (whose name was Publius) had 
 possessions. The same received us, and lodged us 
 three dayes courteously." — Acts xxviii. 2-7. 
 
 " Be ye all of one mind : one suffer with another : love 
 as brethren: be pitifull: be courteous." — i Peter iii. 8. 
 
 " All the haires of your head are numbred." — 
 5. Matthew x. 30. 
 
 "When thou walkest thorowe the very fire thou shalt 
 not bee burnt, neither shall the flame kindle upon 
 thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the holy one of 
 Israel thy Saviour. I gave Egypt for thy ransome." 
 — Isaiah xliii. 2, 3. 
 
 " Even the Sonne of Man came not to be served, but 
 to serve, and to give his life for the ransome of many." 
 — .y. Mark X. 45. 
 
SHAKSPBARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 71 
 
 MERCHANT OF VENICE. 
 
 Act III. Scene II. 
 
 Portia. Is it your dear friend that is thus in 
 trouble ? 
 
 Bassanio. The dearest friend to me, the kindest 
 
 The best condition'd and unwearied spirit 
 In doing courtesies ; and one in whom 
 The ancient Roman honour more appears, 
 Than any that draws breath in Italy. 
 
 Portia. What sum owes he the Jew ? 
 
 Bassanio. For me, three thousand ducats. 
 
 Portia. What, no more ? 
 
 Pay him six thousand, and deface the bond : 
 Double six thousand, and then treble that, 
 Before a friend of this description 
 Shall lose a hair through Bassanio's fault 
 First go with me to Church, and call me wife, 
 And then away to Venice to your friend ; 
 For never shall you lie by Portia's side 
 With an unquiet soul. You shall have gold 
 To pay the petty debt twenty times over : 
 When it is paid, bring your true friend along. 
 
72 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 To save a friend « man will freely hazard his own life, and when he 
 knows that his present life is but the preface to life in the Lord of life he 
 can cheerfully say, *' I am arm'd and well prepar'd." 
 
 ^be jfountaine. 
 
 " They prevented me in the day of my calamitie : but 
 the Lord was my stay." — Psalme xviii. i8. 
 
 " The liberall man will devise of liberall things and he 
 will continue his liberalitie." — Isaiah xxxii. 8. 
 
 " Whosoever voweth a vowe unto the Lord, or sweareth 
 an oath to binde himselfe by a bond, he shall not breake 
 his promise,* but shall doe according to all that pro- 
 ceedeth out of his mouth." — Numbers xxx. 3. 
 
 ''Anger is cruell and wrath is raging: but who can 
 stand before envie ? " — Proverbs xxvii. 4. 
 
 " Greater love than this hath no man, when any man 
 bestoweth his life for his friends." — S. John xv. 1 3. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 73 
 
 MERCHANT OF VENICE. 
 
 Act III. Scene II. 
 
 Portia. But let me hear the letter of your friend. 
 
 Bassanio. \Reads'\ " Sweet Bassanio, my ships have 
 all miscarried, my creditors grow cruel, my estate is very 
 low, my bond to the Jew is forfeit ; and since, in paying 
 it, it is impossible I should live, all debts are cleared 
 between you and I, if I might but see you at my death. 
 Notwithstanding, use your pleasure : if your love do not 
 persuade you to come, let not my letter." 
 
 Portia. O love ! despatch all business, and begone. 
 
 Bassanio. Since I have your good leave to go away, 
 I will make haste ; but till I come again, 
 No bed shall e'er be guilty of my stay. 
 Nor rest be interposer 'twixt us twain. 
 
 ****** 
 
74 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 The most expansive embodiment of good actions is, the charity of love 
 — the love of charity — which claims no merit, and requires none. It 
 embraces all incentives, unswayed by any " because.'' 
 
 ^be fountaine. 
 
 "And when hee had made an end of speaking unto 
 Saul, the soule of Jonathan was knit with the soule of 
 David, and Jonathan loved him as his owne soule." 
 — I Samuel xviii. i. 
 
 " Delight thyselfe in the Lord and he shall give thee 
 thine heart's desire." — Psalme xxxvii. 4. 
 
 " To them that thinke on good things, shall be mercie 
 and trueth." — Proverbs xiv. 22. 
 
 " Hee that is wise in his businesse, shall finde good, 
 and hee that trusteth in the Lord, he is blessed." 
 — Proverbs xvi. 20. 
 
 " Iron sharpeneth iron, so doeth man sharpen the face 
 of his friend. 
 
 " As in water, face answereth to face, so the heart of 
 a man to man." — Proverbs xxvii. 17-19. 
 
 "While we have therefore time, let us doe good 
 unto aU men, but specially unto them which are of the 
 houshold of faith." — Galatians vi. 10. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 75 
 
 MERCHANT OF VENICE. 
 
 Act III. Scene IV. 
 
 Belmont. A room in the house of Portia. 
 Enter Portia, Nerissa, Lorenzo, ^c. 
 
 Lorenzo. Madam, although I speak it in your 
 presence, 
 You have a noble and a true conceit 
 Of God-like amity ; which appears most strongly 
 In bearing thus the absence of your lord. 
 But, if you knew to whom you show this honour. 
 How true a gentleman you send relief. 
 How dear a lover of my lord, your husband, 
 I know, you would be prouder of the work, 
 Than customary bounty can enforce you. 
 
 Portia. I never did repent for doing good, 
 Nor shall not now : for in companions 
 That do converse and waste the time together. 
 Whose souls do bear an equal yoke of love, 
 There must be needs a like proportion 
 Of lineaments, of manners, and of spirit ; 
 Which makes me think, that this Antonio, 
 Being the bosom lover of my lord, 
 Must needs be like my lord. 
 
76 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 Modesty shrinks Jrom the Satanic suggestion of self-approval. Trust in 
 the honour of another begets honour in that other, and gives life to it. 
 
 ^ibe ifountaine. 
 
 " I hate vaine inventions : but thy Law doe I love." 
 — Psalme cxix. 113. 
 
 " A gracious woman attaineth honor." — Proverbs xi. 16. 
 
 " Let another man praise thee ; and not thine owne 
 mouth : a stranger, and not thine owne lips." — Proverbs 
 xxvii. 2. 
 
 "Joseph found favour in his (master's) sight, and 
 he served him : and he made him ruler of his house, and 
 put all that he had in his hand." — Genesis xxxix. 4. 
 
 " Vow and performe unto the Lord your God." 
 — Psalme Ixxvi. 11. 
 
 "When thou prayest enter into thy chamber: and 
 when thou hast shut thy doore, pray unto thy Father 
 which is in secret, and thy Father which seeth in secret 
 shall reward thee openly." — S. Matthew vi. 6. 
 
 "Walke worthy of the vocation whereunto ye are 
 called with all humblenesse of minde and meekenesse, 
 with long suffering, supporting one another through 
 love." — Ephesians iv. i, 2. 
 
MERCHANT OF VENICE. 
 
 Act III. Scene IV. 
 
 Portia. If it be so, 
 
 How little is the cost I have bestow'd, 
 In purchasing the semblance of my soul 
 From out the state of hellish cruelty ! 
 This comes too near the praising of myself, 
 Therefore, no more of it : hear other things. 
 Lorenzo, I commit into your hand 
 The husbandry and manage of my house, 
 Until my lord's return : for mine own part, 
 I have toward heaven breath'd a secret vow 
 To live in prayer and contemplation, 
 Only attended by Nerissa, here, 
 Until her husband and my lord's return. 
 There is a monastery two miles off. 
 And there we will abide. 
 
78 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 Noble natures shine with conspicuous lustre where there is '* abundance 
 of grace," for then 'noble self is put under tribute, or discharged from 
 office altogether. 
 
 ^be jfountaine. 
 
 "Behold we count them blessed which endure. Ye 
 have heard of the patience of Job, and have knowen 
 what end the Lord made. For the Lord is very pitifull 
 and merciful!."— ^a»2« v. ii. 
 
 " The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long 
 suffering, gentlenesse, goodnesse, faith, meeknesse, 
 temperancie." — Galatians v. 22, 23. 
 
 "Surely the rage of man shall turne to thy prayse: 
 the remnant of the rage shalt thou restraine." — 
 Psalme Ixxvi. 10. 
 
 " Evil doers shal be cast off : they that wait upon the 
 Lord, they shal inherit the land, therefore yet a little 
 while, and the wicked shall not appeare and thou shalt 
 looke after his place, and he shall not be found but 
 meeke men shall possess the earth and shal have their 
 delight in the multitude of peace." — Psalme xxxvii. 9-1 1. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 79 
 
 MERCHANT OF VENICE. 
 
 Act IV. Scene I. 
 
 Venice. A Court of Justice. 
 
 Enter the DuKE, the Magnificoes, 
 Antonio, Bassanio, Salanio, Sr'c. 
 
 Duke. What, is Antonio here ? 
 
 Antonio. Ready, so please your grace. 
 
 Duke. I am sorry for thee : thou art come to answer 
 A stony adversary, an inhuman wretch 
 Uncapable of pity, void and empty 
 From any dram of mercy. 
 
 Antonio. I have heard, 
 
 Your grace hath ta'en great pains to qualify 
 His rigorous course ; but since he stands obdurate, 
 And that no lawful means can carry me 
 Out of his envy's reach, I do oppose 
 My patience to his fiiry, and am arm'd 
 To suffer with a quietness of spirit. 
 The very tyranny and rage of his. 
 
So 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 *'With the merciful" God "will show himself merciful "—thus the 
 merciful judge expresses his desire and hope that the Jew, who is 
 apparently in possession of an irrevocable verdict to take the life of his 
 bond, is invited to mercy for his own sake, and for the sake of all. 
 
 Z\iz ifountaine. 
 
 " If I have done wrong, or committed anything worthy 
 of death, I refuse not to dye." — Acts xxv. ii. 
 
 " Therefore, be ye also ready." — 5. Matthew xxiv. 44. 
 
 " If a man bee just . . . and hath not given forth upon 
 usurie, neither hath taken any increase ... he shall 
 surely live saith the Lord God." — Ezekiel xviii. 5, 8, 9. 
 
 "As they regarded not to knowe God, even so God 
 delivered them up unto a reprobate minde . . . being 
 ful of all unrighteousnesse . . . covetousnesse, malicious- 
 nesse, full of envie, of murther, of debate, of deceite, 
 taking all things in the evill part, . . . haters of God, 
 doers of wrong, proud, boasters, inventers of evill things 
 . . . without natural affection, such as can never be 
 appeesed, mercilesse (implacable)." — Romans i. 28-30. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 8i 
 
 MERCHANT OF VENICE, 
 
 Act IV. Scene I. 
 
 Duke. Go one, and call the Jew into the court. 
 
 Salanio. He's ready at the door. He comes, my 
 lord. 
 
 Enter Shylock. 
 
 Duke. Make room, and let him stand before our 
 face : 
 Shylock, the world thinks, and I think so too, 
 That thou lead'st this fashion of thy malice 
 To the last hour of act ; and then, 't is thought. 
 Thou 'It show thy mercy, and remorse, more strange 
 Than is thy strange apparent cruelty ; 
 And where thou now exact'st the penalty. 
 Which is a pound of this poor merchant's flesh. 
 Thou wilt not only lose the forfeiture, 
 But touch'd -with human gentleness and love, 
 Forgive a moiety of the principal ; 
 
82 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 The cruel creditor, being one of God's chosen race, the judge fails not 
 to recognize this, appealing to him as '* trained to of&ces of tender courtesy," 
 in sovereign distinction from " Turks and Tartars." 
 
 ZTbe ifountaine. 
 
 "Thus speaketh the Lord of hostes, saying, Execute 
 true judgement, and shew mercie and compassion every 
 man to his brother." — Zechariah vii. 9. 
 
 " Hee that is in miserie ought to be comforted of his 
 neighbour: but men have forsaken the feare of the 
 Almighty."— /(7i5 vi. 14. 
 
 " So I gave them up unto the hardnes of their heart 
 and they have walked in their owne counsels." — 
 Psalme Ixxxi. 12. 
 
 "The wicked with pride doth persecute the poore: 
 let them bee taken in the crafts that they have imagined. 
 
 "His mouth is full of cursing and deceit, and fraude: 
 under his tongue is mischiefe, and iniquitie." — Psalme 
 X. 2, 7. 
 
 " As the sparrow by flying, and the swallow by flying 
 escape, so the curse causelesse shall not come." — 
 Proverbs xxvi. 2. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 83 
 
 MERCHANT OF VENICE. 
 
 Act IV. Scene I, 
 
 Duke. \Continuing\ Glancing an eye of pity on 
 his losses, 
 That have of late so huddled on his back, 
 Enow to press a royal merchant down. 
 And pluck commiseration of his state 
 From brassy bosoms, and rough hearts of flint. 
 From stubborn Turks and Tartars, never train'd 
 To offices of tender courtesy. 
 We all expect a gentle answer, Jew. 
 
 Shylock. I have possess'd your grace of what I 
 purpose ; 
 And by our holy sabbath have I sworn 
 To have the due, and forfeit of my bond : 
 If you deny it, let the danger light 
 Upon your charter, and your city's freedom. 
 
The actions of those who pray have often a secret spring. It should be so 
 at all times, and although it is, confessedly, not so, the Psalmist was 
 commissioned to deliver the message, "Trust in him alway, ye people" 
 (at all times). 
 
 This injunction, when obeyed, has ever had one witness, that feeble 
 instruments exercise a power and perform wonders which put to confusion 
 the most subtle designs of "the wise"; so two "unlettered girls" might be 
 employed for the deliverance of the just ; and Joan of Arc, an innkeeper's 
 daughter, of Domremi, was so employed at Orleans, as was Esther at the 
 Persian Court. 
 
 ^bc fountaine. 
 
 " Unto man he said Behold, the feare of the Lord is 
 'Wisedoine."—/o6 xxviii. 28. 
 
 "Thy testimonies are wonderfull: therefore doth my 
 soule keepe them. The entrance into thy words sheweth 
 light and giveth understanding to the simple." — Psalme 
 cxix. 129, 130. 
 
 "Wee labour and are rebuked, because wee trust in 
 the living God which is the Saviour of al men, specially 
 of those that beleeve. . . . Let no man despise thy 
 youth." — I Timotheus iv. 10, 12. 
 
 "Hadassah (joy), that is Ester (secret), a Jewish 
 orphan, was brought also unto the King's house" . . . 
 " and the maide pleased him, but Ester shewed not her 
 people and her kindred. . . . And y= King Ahashuerosh, 
 said unto Queene Ester, and to Mordecai the Jewe, 
 Beholde, I have given Ester the house of Haman whom 
 they have hanged upon the tree because he layd hand 
 upon the Jewes." — Ester ii. 7, g, lo; viii. 7. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 85 
 
 MERCHANT OF VENICE. 
 
 Act IV. Scene I. 
 
 Enter Nerissa, dressed like a lawyer's clerk. 
 
 Duke. Came you from Padua, from Bellario ? 
 
 Nerissa. From both, my lord. Bellario greets 
 your grace. \Presents a letter^ 
 
 Duke. This letter from Bellario doth commend 
 A young and learned doctor to our court. 
 Where is he ? 
 
 Nerissa. He attendeth here, hard by, 
 To know your answer, whether you 11 admit him. 
 
 Duke. With all my heart. Some three or four of you 
 Go, give him courteous conduct to this place. 
 Meantime the court will hear Bellario's letter. 
 
S6 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 Bellario's letter offers a graceful tribute of gratitude for sympathy in 
 sickness from the young advocate. This appeals to the judge in a very 
 effective manner, reciting good reason for the lawyer's acceptance by him, 
 commending and recommending his youthful friend as equal to the difficult 
 occasion of thwarting evil intent, and doing good without injury to the 
 laws of Venice. 
 
 Ebe fountaine. 
 
 " We must needs die, and we are as water spilt on the 
 ground which cannot be gathered up againe : neither 
 doth God spare any persons ; yet doeth hee appoint 
 meanes not to cast out from him, him that is expelled." 
 — 2 Samuel xiv. 14. 
 
 " I was sicke and ye visited me." — Matthew xxv. 36. 
 
 "While yee have light, beleeve in the light, that yee 
 may bee the children of the light. These things spake 
 Jesus."— /oA« xii. 36. 
 
 " Walke in lows."— Eph. v. 2. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 87 
 
 MERCHANT OF VENICE. 
 
 Act IV. Scene I. 
 
 Bellario's letter. [CLERK reads\ 
 
 "Your grace shall understand, that at the receipt of 
 your letter, I am very sick ; but in the instant that your 
 messenger came, in loving visitation was with me, a young 
 doctor of Rome ; his name is Belthazar. 
 
 " I acquainted him with the cause in controversy 
 between the Jew and Antonio the merchant : we turned 
 over many books together ; he is furnished with my 
 opinion ; which, bettered with his own learning, the 
 greatness whereof I cannot enough commend, comes 
 with him, at my importunity, to fill up your grace's 
 request in my stead. I beseech you, let his lack of years 
 be no impediment to let him lack a reverend estimation, 
 for I never knew so young a body with so old a head. 
 I leave him to your gracious acceptance, whose trial shall 
 better publish his commendation." 
 
 Duke. You hear the learn'd Bellario, what he writes : 
 And here, I take it, is the doctor come. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 In this Venetian enquiry is set forth a good example of "mercy rejoicing 
 against judgment." There is no special pleading, but a plain admission of 
 death due to the law, without any attempt to evade it. Judgment is there* 
 fore demanded. 
 
 ^be ifountaine. 
 
 " Arise O God maintaine thine owne cause, remember 
 thy dayly reproach by the foolish man." — Psalme Ixxiv. 22. 
 
 " The Lord is slow to anger, but he is great in power, 
 and will not surely cleare the wicked. . . . 
 
 "Vyho can stand before his wrath? His wrath is 
 powred out like fire, and the rocks are broken by him. 
 The Lord is good, and as a stronghold in the day of 
 trouble, and hee knoweth them that trust in him."— 
 Nahum i. 3, 6, 7. 
 
 " Many sorrowes shall come to the wicked ; but he that 
 trusteth in the Lord, mercie shall compasse him." — 
 Psalme xxxii. 10. 
 
 "All the pathes of the Lorde are mercy and trueth 
 unto such as keepe his couvenant and his testimonies." 
 — Psalme XXV. 10. 
 
 " Mercy rejoyceth against judgement."— /awej ii. 13. 
 
JK 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 89 
 
 MERCHANT OF VENICE. 
 
 Act IV. Scene I. 
 
 Enter Portia, dressed like a doctor of laws. 
 
 Duke. Give me your hand. Came you from old 
 
 Bellario? 
 Portia. I did, my lord. 
 
 Duke. You are welcome : take your place. 
 
 Are you acquainted with the difference 
 That holds this present question in the court ? 
 
 Portia. I am informed throughly of the cause. 
 Which is the merchant here, and which the Jew ? 
 Duke. Antonio and old Shy lock, both stand forth. 
 Portia. Is your name Shylock ? 
 Shylock. Shylock is my name. 
 
 Portia. Of a strange nature is the suit you follow; 
 Yet in such rule, that the Venetian law 
 Cannot impugn you, as you do proceed. 
 
 \To Antonio] 
 You stand within his danger, do you not ? 
 Antonio. Ay, so he says. 
 
 Do you confess the bond ? 
 I do. 
 
 Then must the Jew be merciful. 
 On what compulsion must I ? tell me that. 
 The quality of mercy is not strained, 
 
 Portia. 
 
 Antonio. 
 
 Portia. 
 
 Shylock. 
 
 Portia. 
 
 It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven 
 Upon the place beneath : it is twice blessed ; 
 
90 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 Z\iz Jfountaine. 
 
 "If thou poure out thy soule to the hungry and 
 refreshe the troubled soule : then shall thy light spring 
 out in the darkenesse, and thy darknesse shall be as the 
 noone day. And the Lorde shall guide thee continuEdly." 
 — Isaiah Iviii. lo, 1 1. 
 
 " Prayse the Lord your God for ever and ever, and let 
 them praise thy glorious Name O God which excelleth 
 above all thanksgiving and praise." — Nehemiah ix. 5. 
 
 " If righteousnesse bee by the Lawe, then Christ died 
 without a cause." — Galatians ii. 21. 
 
 " Be ye courteous one to another, and tender hearted, 
 forgiving one another, even as God, for Christ's sake^ 
 forgave you." — Ephesians iv. 32. 
 
?« 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 91 
 
 MERCHANT OF VENICE. 
 
 Act IV. Scene I. 
 
 Portia. \Continuing\ It blesseth him that gives 
 and him that takes : 
 'T is mightiest in the mightiest ; it becomes 
 The throndd monarch better than his crown : 
 His sceptre shows the force of temporal power, 
 The attribute to awe and majesty, 
 Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings ; 
 But mercy is above this sceptred sway ; 
 It is enthroned in the hearts of kings, 
 It is an attribute to God himself. 
 And earthly power doth then show likest God's 
 When mercy seasons justice. Therefore, Jew, 
 Though justice be thy plea, consider this, 
 That in the course of justice none of us 
 Should see salvation : we do pray for mercy, 
 And that same prayer doth teach us all to render 
 The deeds of mercy.* I have spoke thus much, 
 To mitigate the justice of thy plea, 
 Which, if thou follow, this strict court of Venice 
 Must needs give sentence 'gainst the merchant there. 
 
 * '* Not to relent is beastly, savage, devilish." 
 Art I., Scene IV. 
 
 -King Richard III,, 
 
92 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 ^be ifountaine. 
 
 "Oughtest not thou also to have had pitie on thy 
 fellowe,even as I had pitie on thee?" — Matihew xv'm. 33. 
 
 "His mischiefe shall retume upon his owne head, 
 and his crueltie shall fall upon his owne pate." — Psalme 
 vii. 16. 
 
 " O Lord God the Avenger, O God the Avenger, show 
 thy selfe clearely." — Psalme xciv. i. 
 
 " Take heed what tjiou doest for this man (Paul) is a 
 Romane." — Acts xxii. 26. 
 
 " Sing unto the Lord, praise ye the Lord : for hee hath 
 delivered the soule of the poore from the hand of the 
 Wicked."— /i?re»?zaA xx. 13. 
 
 " Skinne for skinne and all that ever a man hath, will 
 he give for his life."— /i5i5 ii. 4. 
 
MERCHANT OF VENICE. 
 
 Shylock. My deeds upon my head : I crave the law ; 
 The penalty and forfeit of my bond. 
 
 At this point our Reading may consistently close. A brilliant 
 example of magnanimous behaviour under great trial and 
 provocation. 
 
 A gracious spirit in the characters of Portia, Bassanio, and 
 Antonio is conspicuous throughout. 
 
 For the curious, who are unacquainted with the whole story, 
 it may be related that the Advocate, while arguing the necessity 
 of justice being done in strict regard of the laws of Venice, 
 ch^lenges the possibility of the execution of the sentence. 
 
 The Jew had claimed the bond. Becoming alarmed, he now 
 elects not to hazard the shedding of blood, or of taking more or 
 less than the exact weight — one pound of flesh — either of which 
 is excluded from the bond. He would then accept the muni- 
 ficent offer he had refused, of thrice the amount of his claim. 
 It is too late. He has brought the penalty of death upon his 
 own head by seeking, as an alien, the life of a citizen of Venice 
 for which his own life is forfeit to the State, and may only be 
 remitted by the overruling compassion of the reigning Duke, 
 who exercises it by commutation of the sentence in confiscation 
 of the Jew's earthly possessions — half to the State, and the 
 remaining moiety to the debtor, the money due, tendered by a 
 friend, having been refiised. "He sowed the wind to reap the 
 whirlwind." 
 
94 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 MILTON IN L'ALLEGRO. 
 
 JjEJHEN to the well-trod stage, anon, 
 
 If Jonson's learned sock be on ; 
 Or sweetest Shakspeare, Fancy's child, 
 Warble his native wood-notes, wild. 
 
 Hn JEpitapb on tbe Hbmirable M. S. 
 
 7^ HAT needs my Shakspeare, for his honour'd bones 
 1^ The labour of an age in pil^d stones? 
 Or that his hallow'd reliques should be hid 
 Under a star-ypointing pyramid ? 
 
 Dear son of Memory, great heir of fame, 
 What need'st thou such weak witness of thy name ? 
 Thou in our wonder and astonishment, 
 Hast built thyself a live-long monument ; 
 For, whilst to th' shame of slow endeavouring art 
 Thy easy numbers flow; and that each heart 
 Hath, from the leaves of thy unvalued book 
 Those Delphic lines, with deep impression, took. 
 Then thou, our fancy, of itself bereaving, 
 Dost make us marble with too much conceiving ; 
 And, so sepulchred, in such pomp dost lie, 
 That kings, for such a tomb, would wish to die. 
 
 Milton. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 95 
 
 SHAKSPEARIANA. 
 
96 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 SHAKSPEARIANA. 
 
 "THE AGE OF ELIZABETH was distinguished by the translation 
 of the Bible. 
 
 ' The hearts of the people burnt within them." 
 
 Hazlitt. 
 
 " Ere yet they brought their journey to an end, 
 A stranger join'd them, courteous as a friend, 
 And ask'd them, with a kind engaging air, 
 What their affliction was, and begg'd a share. 
 Inform'd, he gather'd up the broken thread. 
 And, truth and wisdom gracing all he said, 
 Explain'd, illustrated, and search'd so well 
 The tender theme on which they chose to dwell, 
 That reaching home, the night, they said, is near, 
 We must not now be parted, sojourn here — 
 The new acquaintance soon became a guest, 
 And made so welcome at their simple feast. 
 He bless'd the bread, but vanish'd at the word, 
 And left them both exclaiming — ' 'T was the Lord ! 
 Did not our hearts feel all he deign'd to say ? 
 Did they not burn within us by the way ? ' " 
 
 COWPER. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 97 
 
 Measure for Measure. 
 
98 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 OF 
 
 SHAKSPEARE 
 
 Canon Ainger says: — 
 
 " He portrayed the deepest passions of life by virtue 
 of his immense force of sympathy. You will understand 
 to what I point."— 5«>7«ow, p. 305. 
 
 ^be ffountaine. 
 
 GENEVAN VERSION, 
 Edition 1606.* 
 
 "Enter not into temptation." — Matthew xxvi. 41. 
 
 * The Genevan Version dates from 1559 to 1620— nine years after 
 ist Edition of A.V. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 99 
 
 MEASURE FOR MEASURE. 
 
 1604. 
 
 Duke. If our virtues 
 
 Did not go forth of us 't were all alike 
 As if we had them not. Spirits are not finely touch'd, 
 But to fine issues {''for high purposes^). 
 
 J. P. C. 
 
 (Act I. Scene I.) 
 ****»♦ 
 
 Angelo. 'T is one thing to be tempted, Escalus, 
 Another thing to fall. 
 
 ****** 
 
 Escalus. Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall. 
 
 (Act II. Scene I.) 
 
 Isabella. Alas ! alas ! 
 
 Why, all the souls that were, were forfeit once ; 
 And he that might the vantage best have took, 
 Found out the remedy. How would you be. 
 If he, which is the top of judgment, should 
 But judge you as you are ? O, think on that, 
 And mercy then will breathe within your lips. 
 Like man new made ! 
 
 Angelo. 
 Isabella. 
 
 He must die to-morrow. 
 
 To-morrow ! .... 
 
 Good, good, my lord, bethink you ! 
 Who is it that hath died for this offence ? 
 
 (ActIL Scene II.) 
 
100 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 MEASURE FOR MEASURE. 
 
 The almighdness of the God-man is displayed in healing and foigiveness. 
 The Christ is seen in meekness. 
 
 ZTbc ifountaine. 
 
 "Rebuke hath broken mine heart, and I am full of 
 heavinesse, and I looked _/5?>- some to have pity on me, but 
 there was rume."— Psalme Ixix. 20. 
 
 " Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation, 
 and thy right hand hath stayed me, and thy loving kind- 
 nesse hath caused me to increase." — Psalme xviii. 35. 
 
 "Take my yoke on you, and leame of me, that I am 
 meeke and lowly in heart."— J/aZ/^eo/ xi. 29. 
 
 " The Sonne of man is not come to destroy men's lives 
 but to save them." — Luke ix. 56. 
 
 " I say unto you love your enemies ; blesse them that 
 curse you ; do good to them that hate you, and pray for 
 them which hurt you, and persecute you." — Matthew v. 44. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 MEASURE FOR MEASURE. 
 
 Angelo. Your brother dies to-morrow ; be content. 
 
 **♦»** 
 
 Isabella. O ! it is excellent 
 
 To have a giant's strength ; but it is tyrannous 
 To use it like a giant. 
 
 ****** 
 Man, proud man ! 
 Drest in a little brief authority, 
 Most ignorant of what he 's most assur'd, 
 His glassy essence, like an angry ape. 
 Flays such fantastic tricks before high heaven, 
 As make the angels weep ; 
 
 ****** 
 
 Great men may jest with saints : 't is wit in them, 
 But in the less, foul profanation. 
 
 ****** 
 
 Angelo. Come again to-morrow. 
 
 Isabella. Hark, how 1 11 bribe you. Good my lord, 
 
 turn back. 
 Angelo. How! bribe me? 
 
 ****** 
 
 Isabella. Not with fond shekels of the tested gold, 
 Or stones, whose rates are either rich or poor 
 As fancy values them ; but with true prayers 
 That shall be up at heaven, and enter there 
 Ere sunrise. 
 
 (Act II. Scene II.) 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 'G^eetimon^. 
 
 " William Collins, * whose genius in some particulars 
 discovered a strong affinity to that of Shakspeare himself, 
 after eulogising the female characters of Fletcher, adds : — 
 ' But stronger Shakspeare felt for man alone.' 
 
 "The feelings of his mind produced correspondent 
 feelings in the minds of others ; like a precious 
 stone, which casts its brilliant hues over every object 
 that approaches it. 
 
 " Shakspeare will be found pre-eminent if we consider 
 his sublimity, his pathos, his imagination, his wit, or his 
 humour 
 
 "To combine all as he has done in one tremendous 
 intellect is indeed — 
 
 ' To get the start of the majestic world, 
 And bear the palm alone ! ' " 
 
 H. Neele. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 103 
 
104 SBAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 KING RICHARD 11. 
 
 Ztbe ifountaine. 
 
 " The Lord God also made the man of the dust of the 
 ground," — Genesis ii. 7. 
 
 " Remember, I pray thee, that thou hast made mee, as 
 the clay, and wilt thou bring me into the dust againe ?" — 
 Job X. 9. 
 
 "For we must needes die, and we are as water spilt 
 on the ground, which cannot bee gathered up againe : 
 neither doeth God spare any person, yet doeth he appoint 
 meanes not to cast out from him, him that is expelled." — 
 2 Samuel xiv. 14. 
 
 " But now O Lord, thou art our Father. We are the 
 clay, and thou art our potter, and we are all the worke 
 of thine hands." — Isaiah Ixiv. 8. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 los 
 
 KING RICHARD II. 
 
 (IS97-) 
 
 King Richard. Let's choose executors, and talk 
 of wills: 
 And yet not so, for what can we bequeath, 
 Save our deposed bodies to the ground ? 
 Our lands, our lives, and all are Bolingbroke's, 
 And nothing can we call our own but death. 
 And that small model of the barren earth, 
 Which serves as paste and cover to our bones. 
 For God's sake, let us sit upon the ground, 
 And tell sad stories of the death of kings : 
 How some have been depos'd, some slain in war, 
 Some haunted by the ghosts they have depos'd. 
 Some poison'd by their wives, some sleeping kill'd, 
 All murder'd ; for within the hollow crown 
 That rounds the mortal temples of a king 
 Keeps death his court. 
 
 Allowing him a breath, a little scene, 
 
 To monarchise, be fear'd, and kill with looks ; 
 
 Infusing him with self and vain conceit. 
 
 As if this flesh which walls about our life. 
 
 Were brass impregnable : and humour'd thus, 
 
 Comes at the last, and with a little pin 
 
 Bores through his castle wall, and — ^farewell king ! 
 
 (Act III. Scene II.) 
 
KING RICHARD II 
 
 Zl)e Jfountainc. 
 
 " Jesus sayd, Suffer the little children and forbid them 
 not to come to me : for of such is the kingdome of 
 hea.ven."—Matihew xix. 14. 
 
 " It is easier for a camel to go thorow the eye of a 
 needle, then for a rich man to enter into the kingdome of 
 God." — Mark x. 25 ; also Luke xviii. 16, 25. 
 
 " And the king lamented over Abner, and sayd, Died 
 Abner as a foole dieth ? 
 
 "Thine hands were not bound, nor thy feete tied in 
 fetters of brasse ; 6ut as a man falleth before wicked men, 
 so didst thou fall." — 2 Samuel iii. 33, 34. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 107 
 
 KING RICHARD II. 
 
 King Richard. ' Thoughts,' 
 
 *«■*«** 
 
 The better sort, 
 As thoughts of things divine, are intermix'd 
 With scruples, and do set the Word itself 
 Against the word : 
 
 As thus — " Come, little ones"; and then again, 
 " It is as hard to come, as for a camel 
 To thread the postern of a small needle's eye." 
 Thoughts tending to ambition, they do plot 
 Unlikely wonders : how these vain weak nails 
 May tear a passage through the flinty ribs 
 Of this hard world, my ragged prison walls ; 
 And, for they cannot, die in their own pride ! 
 ****** 
 
 [ExTON strikes the King. 
 Exton, thy fierce hand 
 Hath, with the king's blood stain'd the king's own land. 
 Mount, mount, my soul ! thy seat is up on high. 
 Whilst my gross flesh sinks downward, here to die. 
 
 \pies. 
 
 (ActV. Scene V.) 
 
lo8 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 Parallel XEcetimont. 
 
 Edith. God help me ! I know nothing — can but pray 
 For Harold — pray, pray, pray — ^no help but prayer, 
 A breath that fleets beyond this iron world. 
 And touches Him that made it. 
 
 (Hanld. Act III. Scene II.) 
 
 Cecil. It never will be merry world in England 
 Till all men have their Bible, rich and poor. 
 
 Alice. The Queen is dying, or you dare not say it. 
 
 Tennyson. 
 
 (Queen Mary. Act V. Scene V.) 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 109 
 
 KING HENRY IV. 
 
KING HENRY IV. 
 
 PART L 
 
 May we not join our Poet here, and hear him say, *As far as to the 
 sepulchre of Christ,' mosingj as he laid him down to rest? Yes, and we 
 may follow him to the mornmg light and to the resurrection mom, for we 
 shall meet him there. It was in his Stratford home that 'he entertained 
 preachers ' ; and we may sing with him — 
 
 " For nothing this wide universe I call, 
 Save thou, my Rose : in it thou art my all." 
 
 ZTbe jfountaine. 
 
 "Joseph of Aramathea, an honourable councellour, 
 which also looked for the kingdom of God came and 
 went in boldly unto Pilate and asked the body of Jesus, 
 and Pilate marvelled if he were already dead, called unto 
 him the centurion and asked of him whether he had 
 beene any while dead. And when hee knew the trueth 
 of the centurion he gave the body to Joseph. Who 
 brought a linen cloth and tooke him downe and wrapped 
 him in the linen cloth and layde him in a tombe, that 
 was hewen out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the 
 doore of the sepulchre. And Mary Magdalene and 
 Marie, Joses mother beheld where he should be laid." 
 — Mark XV. 43-47. 
 
 " Early in the morning, the first day of the weeke, they 
 came unto the sepulchre when the sun was yet rising. 
 They went into the sepulchre and sawe a young man 
 sitting at the right side. And they were afrayd. He 
 said unto them Be not afrayd : yee seeke Jesus of 
 Nazaret which hath bene crucified, he is risen ; he is not 
 here. Go your way and tell his disciples and Peter that 
 he will goe before you into Galile." — Mark xvi. 2, 5, 7. 
 
KING HENRY IV. 
 
 PART I. (IS94-) 
 
 King. Therefore friends, 
 
 As far as to the sepulchre of Christ, 
 Whose soldiers now, under whose blessdd cross. 
 We are impressed and engag'd to fight ; 
 * * * * in those holy fields, 
 
 Over whose acres walk'd those blessdd feet 
 Which, fourteen hundred years ago, were nail'd 
 For our advantage on the bitter cross. 
 
 (Act I. Scene I.) 
 ****** 
 
 King (of Hotspur). His great name in arms 
 
 Holds from all soldiers chief majority, 
 And military title capital, 
 Through all the kingdoms that acknowledge Christ. 
 
 (Act III. Scene II ) 
 
 Hotspur. O gentlemen ! the time of life is short ; 
 To spend that shortness basely, were too long. 
 If life did ride upon a dial's point 
 Still ending at the arrival of an hour. 
 
 (ActV. Scene II.) 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 KING HENRY IV. 
 
 PART I. 
 
 tlbe ifountaine. 
 
 "Ye cannot tell what shall bee lo-xaottavi."— James 
 iv. 14. 
 
 " Blessed is he that hath the God of Jaakob for his 
 helpe, whose hope is in the Lord his God." — Psalme 
 cxlvi. 5. 
 
 " And herein I endevor myselfe to have alway a cleare 
 conscience toward God and toward men." — Acts xxiv. 16. 
 
 " Behold, this day thine eyes have seene that the Lord 
 had delivered thee this day into mine hand in the cave 
 and some bade me kill thee, but I had compassion on 
 thee and said, I will not lay mine hand on my master 
 for he is the Lord's anointed." — i Samuel xxiv. 2. 
 
 " Forgive and ye shal be forgiven." — Luke vi. 37. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 "3 
 
 KING HENRY IV. 
 
 PART I. 
 
 Hotspur. And if we live, we live to tread on kings ; 
 If die, brave death, when princes die with us. 
 Now, for our consciences, the arms are fair, 
 Wiien the intent of bearing them is just. 
 
 Enter another Messenger. 
 Mess. My lord, prepare ; the king comes on apace. 
 Hotspur. Now, Esperance !* Percy ! and set on ! 
 Sound all the lofty instruments of war, 
 And by that music let us all embrace ; 
 For, heaven to earth, some of us never shall 
 A second time do such a courtesy. (Act v. Scene ill.) 
 
 ****** 
 
 Hotspur. O Harry ! thou hast robb'd me of my youth. 
 Percy, thou art dust. [Dies. 
 
 Prince H. Fare thee well great heart ! 
 
 ****** 
 
 This earth that bears thee, dead. 
 Bears not alive so stout a gentleman. 
 
 (ActV. Scene IV.) 
 ****** 
 
 [To Prince John] 
 Go to the Douglas, and deliver him 
 Up to his pleasure, ransomless, and free : 
 His valour, shown upon our crests to-day. 
 Hath taught us how to cherish such high deeds. 
 Even in the bosom of our adversaries. 
 
 (ActV. Scene V.) 
 * The motto of the Percys. " Espcrance en Dieu." 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 KING HENRY IV. 
 
 PART I. 
 
 Iparallel ^e6timoni?. 
 
 King Hezekiah, 
 " How short is human life ; the very breath 
 Which frames my words accelerates my death. 
 ****** 
 What— have these eyes ne'er seen the felon worm 
 The damask cheek devour, the finish'd form ? 
 On the pale rose of blasted beauty feed 
 And riot on the lip so lately red ? 
 Where are our fathers? Where th' illustrious line 
 Of holy prophets and of seers divine?" 
 
 Hannah More. Hezekiah. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 115 
 
 KING HENRY IV. 
 
 SECOND PART. 
 
ii6 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 KING HENRY IV. 
 
 SECOND PART. 
 
 ZTbe Jfountaine. 
 
 " The feare of the Lord is the instruction of wisedome : 
 and before honor goeth humility." — Proverbs xv. 33. 
 
 " It is a man's honor to cease from strife." — Proverbs 
 
 XX. 3. 
 
 " Put them in remembrance that they be subject to the 
 principalities and powers." — Titus iii. i. 
 
 " If I honour myselfe, mine honour is nothing worth : 
 it is my Father that honoureth mee, whom ye say that 
 he is your God."— /^^« viii. 54. 
 
 " The Sonne of man came not to be served but to 
 serve and to give his hfe for the ransome of many." 
 — Matthew XX. 28. 
 
 " If I have done wrong or committed anything worthy 
 of death, I refuse not to dye." — Acts xxv. 1 1. 
 
 " He humbled himselfe, and became obedient unto the 
 death even the death of the cxo%%^P—Philippians ii. 8. 
 
KING HENRY IV. 
 
 SECOND PART. 
 
 Chief Justice. I am assur'd, if I be measur'd 
 rightly 
 Your majesty hath no just cause to hate me. 
 
 King. No! * * * * 
 
 You are right, Justice ; and you weigh this well. 
 Therefore still bear the balance, and the sword ; 
 And I do wish your honours may increase, 
 Till you do live to see a son of mine 
 Offend you, and obey you, as I did. 
 So shall I live to speak my father's words : — 
 " Happy am I, that have a man so bold, 
 That dares do justice on my proper son ; 
 And not less happy, having such a son, 
 That would deliver up his greatness so 
 Into the hands of justice." You did commit me, 
 For which I do commit into your hand 
 Th' unstain'd sword that you have used to bear ; 
 With this remembrance, — that you use the same 
 With the like bold, just, and impartial spirit, 
 As you have done 'gainst me. There is my hand. 
 
 (Act V. Scene II.) 
 
 « 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 ^estimonp. 
 
 " Shakspeare's reputation,'' says Henry Neele,* "is 
 extensive as the world and imperishable as humanity. 
 
 " The fame of Shakspeare has naturally suggested an 
 enquiry as to the peculiar powers of that mind which 
 could acquire such an influence over the minds of others. 
 
 " What was the talisman that worked these wonders ? 
 Wherein did he surpass that world which has paid him 
 such extraordinary honours ?t .... His wit, his 
 imagination, his sublimity, have all been suggested 
 as the distinguishing characteristics of his mind 
 
 In these particulars he excelled the rest of the world. . . . 
 
 "To descend with Shakspeare is a loftier occupation 
 than to rise with other writers.'' 
 
 * Henry Neele was a solicitor, but more and better known as a rapidly 
 rising and enthusiastic poet. Born 1798, deceased X828. 
 
 t In that his noble and beautiful intellect was stored with the abounding 
 eloquence and superhuman poetry of the sacred writings, to the study of 
 which he gave not only his powerful mind but all his heart. — Ed. 
 
KING HENRY V. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 KING HENRY V. 
 
 (Tbe ifountaine. 
 
 "Jesus came into Galile preaching the Gospel of the 
 Kingdome of God and saying, The time is fulfilled, and 
 the Kingdome of God is at hand : repent and believe the 
 Gospel." — Marke i. 14, 15. 
 
 " I abhorre tnyselfe, and repent in dust and ashes." 
 —Job xlii. 6. 
 
 "Though your sinnes were as crimsin, they shall bee 
 made white as snowe : though they were redde like 
 scarlet, they shall be as wool." — Isaiah i. 18. 
 
 "The race is not to the swift nor the battell to the 
 strong." — Ecclesiastes ix. 11. 
 
 " Thou hast covered mine head in the day of battell." 
 — Psalme cxl. 7. 
 
 " My soule praise thou the Lord, and forget not all his 
 benefits." — Psalme ciii. 2. 
 
KING HENRY V. 
 
 King [t'n camp]. O God of battles ! steel my soldiers' 
 hearts : 
 Possess them not with fear : take from them now 
 The sense of reckoning, if th' opposed numbers 
 Pluck their hearts from them ! Not to-day, O Lord ! 
 O ! not to-day, think not upon the fault 
 My father made in compassing the crown. 
 I, Richard's body have interred new. 
 And on it have bestow'd more contrite tears. 
 Than from it issued forced drops of blood. 
 Five hundred poor I have in yearly pay. 
 Who twice a day their wither'd hands hold up 
 Toward heaven, to pardon blood : . . . 
 
 ****** 
 More will I do : 
 Though all that I can do, is nothing worth, 
 Since that my penitence comes after all. 
 
 Imploring pardon. (Act IV. Scene I.) 
 
 ****** 
 King. He, that shall live this day, and see old age, 
 Will, yearly, on the vigil, feast his friends, 
 And say — To-morrow is Saint Crispian : 
 Then will he strip his sleeve, and show his scars. 
 Old men forget ; yet all shall be forgot. 
 But he 11 remember with advantages 
 What feats he did that day. Then shall our names, 
 Familiar in their mouths as household words, — 
 Harry the king, Bedford and Exeter, 
 Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloster 
 Be . . . remember'd. 
 
 Act IV. Scene III.) 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 KING HENRY V. 
 
 ^be ifountaine. 
 
 PSALME xxi. I-I3. 
 
 " The King shall rejoyce in thy strength, O Lord : yea, 
 how greatly shall hee rejoyce in thy salvation. 
 
 " Bee thou exalted O Lord, in thy strength : so will 
 wee sing, and praise thy power." 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 123 
 
 KING HENRY V. 
 
 Enter the Duke of York. 
 
 York. My lord, most humbly on my knee I beg 
 The leading of the vaward. 
 
 King. Take it, brave York. Now, soldiers, march away : 
 And how thou pleasest, God, dispose the day ! 
 
 (Act IV. Scene HI.) 
 ****** 
 
 Enter Mont joy. 
 Mont. The day is yours. 
 
 King. Praisdd be God, and not our strength, for it ! 
 What is this Castle call'd, that stands hard by ? 
 Mont. They call it Agincourt. 
 King. Then call we this the field of Agincourt. 
 
 (Act IV. Scene VII.) 
 
 ****** 
 
 Enter an English Herald with lists of the slain, after 
 the battle. 
 King. Now, herald, are the dead number'd ? 
 Herald. Here is the number of the slaughter'd 
 
 French. 
 King. This note doth tell me of ten thousand French, 
 That in the field lie slain : 
 
 ****** 
 Where is the number of our English dead ? 
 
 [Herald presents another paper. 
 Edward, the Duke of York, the Earl of Suffolk, 
 Sir Richard Ketly, Davy Gam Esquire : 
 None else of name, and of all other men 
 But five and twenty. (Act iv. Scene viii.) 
 
KING HENRY V. 
 
 ^be ifountaine. 
 
 "They inherited not the land by their owne sword, 
 neither did their owne arme save them, but thy right hand 
 and thine arme." — Psalnte xliv. 3. 
 
 " When Gideon heard the dreame tolde he worshipped 
 and said, Up ; for the Lord hath delivered into your hand 
 the host of Midian."— Judges vii. 15. 
 
 " Feare not, neither bee afraid for the King of Asshur 
 neither for all the multitude that is with him. . . . With 
 him is an arme of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God 
 for to help us, and to fight our battles." — 2 Chronicles 
 xxxii. 7, 8. 
 
 «' 
 
 M 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 I2S 
 
 KING HENRY V. 
 
 King. O God ! thy arm was here, 
 
 And not to us, but to thy arm alone. 
 Ascribe we all. When, without stratagem, 
 But in plain shock, and even play of battle, 
 Was ever known so great and little loss, 
 On one part, and on th' other ? take it, God, 
 For it is only thine ! 
 
 Exeter. 'T is wonderful ! 
 
 King. Come, go we in procession to the village : 
 And be it death proclaimed through our host. 
 To boast of this, or take that praise from God, 
 Which is his only. 
 
 Fluellen. Is it not lawful, an please your 
 majesty, to tell how many is killed ? ' 
 
 King. Yes, captain ; but with this acknowledge- 
 ment. 
 That God fought for us. 
 Do we all holy rites : 
 
 Let there be sung Non nobis and Te Deum. 
 The dead with charity enclos'd in clay, 
 And then to Calais ; and to England then. 
 Where ne'er from France arriv'd more happy men. 
 
 (Act IV. Scene VIII.) 
 
126 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 parallel TTestimoni?. 
 
 King Darius. My heralds, haste 
 
 And spread my royal mandate through the land, 
 That all my subjects bow the ready knee 
 To Daniel's God — for He alone is Lord. 
 Let all adore and tremble at His name 
 Who sits in glory unapproachable 
 Above the heav'ns — above the heav'n of heav'ns ! 
 His power is everlasting ; and His throne. 
 Founded in equity and truth, shall last 
 Beyond the bounded reign of time and space 
 Through wide eternity ! With His right arm 
 He saves, and who opposes .? 
 
 ****** 
 
 Araspes. O friend ! O Daniel ! 
 
 No wav'ring doubts can ever more disturb 
 My settled faith. 
 Daniel. To God be all the glory ! 
 
 Hannah More. Daniel. 
 ****** 
 
 "Pious Sovereigns are at all times the richest boon 
 which Heaven can bestow on a country." H. M. 
 
 " Go forth great King, claim what thy birth bestows 
 Conquer the Gallic Lily which thy foes 
 Dare to usurp ; — thou hast a sword to wield. 
 And heaven will crown the right." 
 
 Archbishop Chicheley to Henry V. 
 
 W. Wordsworth. 
 
 4 
 
KING HENRY VI. 
 
 SECOND PART 
 
128 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 KING HENRY VL 
 
 SECOND PART. 
 
 ^be jfountaine. 
 
 " Kings of the earth and all people, princes and all 
 judges of the world : . . . let them praise the name of 
 the Lord : for his name onely is to bee exalted." — Psalme 
 cxlviii. 11-13. 
 
 " Blessed are the peacemakers." — Matthew v. 9. 
 
 " Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus 
 Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort." 
 — 2 Corinthians i. 3. 
 
 "The Lorde shall guide thee continually." — Isaiah 
 Iviii. II. 
 
 " The Lord was my stay . . . surely thou art my light 
 O Lord, and the Lord will lighten my darknesse." — 
 2 Samuel xxii. 19-29. 
 
 " Thy Word is a lanterne unto my feete, and a light 
 unto my path." — Psalme cxix. 105. 
 
 « 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 129 
 
 KING HENRY VI. 
 
 SECOND PART. (1595.) 
 
 King. Welcome, Queen Margaret : 
 
 I can express no kinder sign of love 
 Than this kind kiss. O Lord that lends me life, 
 Lend me a heart replete with thankfulness ; 
 For thou hast given me, in this beauteous face 
 A world of earthly blessings to my soul 
 If sympathy of love unite our thoughts. 
 
 (Act I. Scene I.) 
 * * * * * * 
 
 King. O pr'ythee peace, 
 
 Good queen : and whet not on these furious peers, 
 For blessed are the peacemakers on earth. 
 
 (Act II. Scene I.) 
 ***** 4f- 
 
 King. Now God be prais'd, that to believing souls 
 Gives light in darkness, comfort in despair. 
 
 (Act II. Scene I.) 
 ****** 
 
 King. Stay, Humphrey, Duke of Gloster. Ere 
 thou go. 
 Give up thy staff : Henry will, to himself 
 Protector be ; and God shall be my hope, 
 My stay, my guide, and lantern to my feet : 
 And go in peace, Humphrey ; no less belov'd 
 Than when thou wert protector to thy King. 
 
 (Act II. Scene III.) 
 
130 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 KING HENRY VI. 
 
 SECOND PART. 
 
 Z\)z Jfountaine. 
 
 "Abimelech hired vain and light fellowes which 
 followed him . . . and slew his brethren about seventy- 
 persons ... a certaine woman cast a piece of a mill- 
 stone upon Abimelech's head and brake his braine- 
 '^^xi." —Judges ix. 4-53. 
 
 " His servants arose and wrought treason and slewe 
 Joash." — 2 Kings xii. 20. 
 
 " They wrought treason against (Amaziah) and he fled 
 to Lachish ; but they sent after him to Lachish, and 
 slew him there." — 2 Kings xiv. 19. 
 
 " Pilate sayde unto them shall I crucifie your King ? 
 " The high Priests answered, 
 
 "We have no king but Cesar. Then delivered hee 
 him unto them to be crucified." — John xix. 15, 16. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 I3« 
 
 KING HENRY VI. 
 
 SECOND PART. 
 
 Earl of Warwick. As surely as my soul intends 
 to live 
 With that dread King, that took our state upon him 
 To free us from his Father's wrathful curse, 
 I do believe that violent hands were laid 
 Upon the life of this thrice-famdd duke. 
 
 (Act HI. Scene II.) 
 ***** 
 
 King. What stronger breastplate than a heart 
 untainted ? 
 Thrice is he arm'd, that hath his quarrel just ; 
 And he, but naked, though lock'd up in steel. 
 Whose conscience with injustice is corrupted. 
 
 (Act III. Scene 11.) 
 
 King. Forbear to judge, for we are sinners, all. 
 
 (Act III. Scene III.) 
 
 Lord Say. Ah ! countrymen, if when you make 
 your prayers 
 God should be so obdurate as yourselves, 
 How would it fare with your departed souls? 
 
 (Act IV. Scene VII.) 
 
132 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 XTestimon^. 
 
 PORTRAIT. 
 
 "Descriptions of Shakespeare's person credit him 
 with an augustness of aspect, a loftiness of forehead, 
 a mild countenance, a sweet mouth, and a deep look. 
 He wore a brown beard, and had a noble appear- 
 ance. . . . 
 
 "He had already, in 1612, returned to Stratford, 
 whither he seems now to have finally retired. We 
 have few traces of him there, but these suffice to 
 show him as a busy man, whose help and counsel 
 were valued by his neighbours. 
 
 "He went backward and forward to London, and 
 was engaged in some questions touching the enclosures 
 of common lands. He seems also to have attended 
 juries, and entertained preachers at ' Newe Place.'" 
 
 '■All the Year Round! 
 
 K 
 
x„ 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 133 
 
 KING HENRY VI 
 
 THIRD PART. 
 
134 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 KING HENRY VI. 
 
 THIRD PART. 
 
 ^be ifountaine. 
 
 " I am not able to beare all this people alone : for it 
 is too heavie for mee. 
 
 "Therefore, if thou deale thus with me, I pray thee, 
 if I have found favour in thy sight, kill mee, that I 
 behold not my miserie." — Numbers xi. 14, 15. 
 
 " Oh, that 1 might have my desire and that God would 
 graunt me the thing that I long for ! That is, that God 
 would destroy rDS."—Job vi. 8, 9. 
 
 " It is now enough, O Lord, take my soule, for I am 
 no better then my fathers." — i Kings xix. 4. 
 
 "Mine heart trembleth within me, and the terrors of 
 death are fallen upon me : Feare and trembling are 
 come upon me, and an horrible feare hath covered me. 
 And I said, O that I had wings like a dove : then would 
 I flie away and rest. Behold, I would take my flight 
 farre off and lodge in the wildemesse." — Psalme Iv. 4-6. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 I3S 
 
 KING HENRY VI. 
 
 THIRD PART. 
 
 King. This battle fares like to the morning's war, 
 When dying clouds contend with growing light ; 
 What time the shepherd, blowing of his nails, 
 Can neither call it perfect day, nor night. 
 Now sways it this way, like a mighty sea, 
 Forc'd by the tide to combat with the wind : 
 Now sways it that way, like the selfsame sea 
 Forc'd to retire by fury of the wind : 
 Sometime, the flood prevails ; and then, the wind ; 
 Now, one the better, then, another best ; 
 Both tugging to be victors, breast to breast, 
 Yet neither conqueror nor conquered ; 
 So is the equal poise of this fell war. 
 Here, on this molehill will I sit me down. 
 To whom God will, there be the victory ; 
 For Margaret, my Queen, and Clifford too, 
 Have chid me from the battle, swearing both, 
 They prosper best of all when I am thence. 
 Would I were dead ! if God's good will were so ; 
 For what is in this world but grief and woe ? 
 
 (Act II. Scene V.) 
 
X, 
 
 136 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 KING HENRY VI. 
 
 THIRD PART. 
 
 ^be ifountaine. 
 
 " Better is a little in the feare of the Lord, than great 
 treasure and trouble therewith." — Proverbs xv. i6. 
 
 " Better is an handfuU with quietnesse, than two 
 handfuUs with labour and vexation of spirit." — Ecclesiastes 
 iv. 6. 
 
 " My people shal dwel in the tabernacle of peace and 
 in sure dwellings, and in safe resting-places." — Isaiah 
 xxxii. 1 8. 
 
 "They shall brake their swords into mattockes and 
 their speares into sithes : nation shall not lift up a sword 
 against nation, neither shall they learne to fight any more. 
 But they shall sit, every man under his vine, and under 
 his figge tree, and none shal make them afraid." — 
 Micah iv. 3. 
 
 "Let your conversation be without covetousnes, and 
 be content with those things that yee have: for he 
 hath sayd, I will not faile thee, neither forsake thee." — 
 Hebrews xiii. 5. 
 
K, 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 137 
 
 KING HENRY VI. 
 
 THIRD PART. 
 
 King. O God ! methinks it were a happy life, 
 To be no better than a homely swain ; 
 To sit upon a hill, as I do now, 
 To carve out dials quaintly, point by point, 
 Thereby to see the minutes, how they run : 
 How many make the hour full, complete : 
 How many hours bring about the day. 
 
 ****** 
 Ah, what a life were this ! how sweet ! how lovely ! 
 Gives not the hawthorn bush a sweeter shade 
 To shepherds looking on their silly sheep. 
 Than doth a rich embroider'd canopy 
 To kings that fear their subjects' treachery ? 
 O ! yes it doth ; a thousand fold it doth. 
 
 ****** 
 His cold thin drink out of his leather bottle, 
 His wonted sleep under a fresh tree's shade, 
 All which secure, and sweetly he enjoys. 
 Is far beyond a prince's delicates ; 
 His viands sparkling in a golden cup, 
 His body couchdd in a curious bed, 
 When care, mistrust, and treason wait on him. 
 
 (Act II. Scene V.) 
 
«^ 
 
 138 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 ^eetimon^. 
 
 " Let us look into the scheme of his works, the play 
 of Hamlet, for instance. 
 
 " Goethe found out, and has really made plausible to 
 his readers, all sorts of harmonies in the structure of his 
 plays with the nature of things, and we have realised in 
 this way all that could be demanded of him. And what 
 is stiU more excellent, I am sure that Shakespeare him- 
 self had no conception at all of any such meaning in his 
 poem, he had no scheme of the kind. 
 
 " He would just look into the story, his noble mind the 
 serene depths of it, would look in on it as it was by 
 nature, with a sort of noble instinct, and in no other 
 way. If he had written a criticism upon it he would not 
 at all have said what Goethe said about it. 
 
 " And thus when we hear of so much said of the art 
 
 of any great writer, it is not art at all, it is properly 
 
 nature!' 
 
 Thomas Carlyle. 
 
 Lectures, 1838. 
 
 Published by Ellis & Elvey, 1892. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 139 
 
 KING RICHARD III. 
 
-K 
 
 140 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 KING RICHARD III. 
 
 ^be 3fountaine. 
 
 CElisha) "Said to the Elders, see yee not how this 
 murtherer's sonne hath sent to take away mine head? 
 Take heede, when the messenger commeth, and shut the 
 doore, and handle him roughly at the doore." — 2 Kings 
 vi. 32. 
 
 " And Jesus said, thou shalt not kil." — Matthew xix. 18. 
 
 " Ye are of your father the devill, and the lusts of your 
 father ye will doe : hee hath beene a murtherer from the 
 beginning."— yi?;^« viii. pt. 44. 
 
 " Whosoever hateth his brother is a manslayer ; and ye 
 know that no manslayer hath eternall life abiding in 
 him." — 1 John iii. 15. 
 
 K 
 
,K 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 141 
 
 KING RICHARD III. 
 
 Duke of Clarence. I charge you, as you hope 
 to have redemption 
 By Christ's dear blood shed for our grievous sins, 
 That you depart, and lay no hands on me ; 
 The deed you undertake is damnable. 
 First Murderer. What we will do, we do upon 
 
 command. 
 Second Murderer. And he that hath com- 
 manded, is our king. 
 Clarence. Erroneous Vassals! the great King 
 of kings 
 Hath in the table of His law commanded. 
 That thou shalt do no murder. . . . 
 Take heed. (Act I. Scene IV.) 
 
 ****** 
 King Edward. You peers, continue this united 
 league : 
 I, every day expect an embassage 
 From my Redeemer to redeem me hence ; 
 And more to peace my soul shall part to heaven, 
 Since I have made my friends at peace on earth. 
 Rivers and Hastings, take each other's hand; 
 Dissemble not your hatred, swear your love. 
 
 ****** 
 Take heed, you dally not before your king ; 
 Lest he, that is the supreme King of kings 
 Confound your hidden falsehood and award 
 Either of you to be the other's end. (Act 11. Scene I.) 
 ****** 
 Hastings. O momentary grace of mortal men 
 Which we more hunt for than the grace of God. 
 
 (Act III. Scene IV.) 
 
142 
 
 SBAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 ^estimoni?. 
 
 " In Shakspeare only every wealth is found." — Poems, 1845. 
 
 " Above all, Shakespeare ! and the epitome of the 
 era of Elizabeth. ... A voice from the innermost 
 heart of Nature. — An Universal Man. 
 
 "There is no tone of feeling that is not capable of 
 yielding melodious resonance to that of Shakespeare. . . 
 
 " In a word, if I were bound to describe him, I should 
 be inclined to say that his intellect was far greater than 
 that of any other man who has given an account of 
 himself by writing books. 
 
 " The trace of intellect is more legible in him than in 
 any other writer. . . . 
 
 " The greatest man is always a quiet man by nature ; 
 we are sure not to find greatness in a prurient noisy 
 man. . . . 
 
 "It is now universally admitted that he must be 
 regarded as the greatest person that has been produced 
 in the literature of modern Europe." 
 
 T. Carlyle. 
 

 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 143 
 
 I MACBETH. ! 
 
 \ > 
 
 I ) 
 
 I 
 
 I I 
 
 I 
 
 / 
 
144 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 MACBETH. 
 
 Xtbe ifountaine. 
 
 " Cursed be hee that smiteth his neighbour secretly. . . 
 Cursed be hee that taketh a reward to put to death 
 innocent blood : and all the people shall say : So be 
 it." — Deuteronomie xxvii. 24, 25. 
 
 "And Samuel said, As thy sword hath made women 
 childlesse, so shall thy mother be childlesse." — i Sam. 
 XV. 33. 
 
 "Why doest thou shew me iniquity, and cause me 
 to behold sorrow ; for spoyling, and violence are before 
 me : and there are that raise up strife and contention. 
 Therefore the Lawe is dissolved, and judgement doth 
 never go forth ; for the wicked doeth compasse about 
 the righteous : therefore wrong judgement proceedeth." 
 Habakkuk i. 3, 4. 
 
 K 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 145 
 
 MACBETH. 
 
 (1606.) 
 
 Banquo. Oftentimes, to win us to our harm, 
 The instruments of darkness tell us truths ; 
 Win us with honest trifles, to betray us 
 In deepest consequence. 
 
 (Act I. 
 
 * 
 
 Scene III.) 
 * 
 
 Merciful powers ! 
 Restrain in me the cursed thoughts that nature 
 Gives way to, in repose ! 
 
 (Act II. Scene I.) 
 ****** 
 
 Macduff \to Malcolwi\. Thy royal father 
 Was a most sainted King: The Queen, that bare thee, 
 Oft'ner upon her knees than on her feet, 
 Died every day she lived. Fare thee well. 
 
 ****** 
 
 All my pretty ones ! 
 Did you say all ? . . . all? 
 What, all my pretty chickens, and their dam, 
 At one fell swoop? 
 
 ****** 
 Sinful Macduff ! 
 They were all struck for thee. Naught that I am ; 
 Not for their own demerits, but for mine. 
 
 (Act IV. Scene III.) 
 
 10 
 
146 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 {Testimony. 
 
 " In general there is a fervent sincerity in any matter 
 he undertakes, by which one sees at once, as through a 
 window, into the beautiful greatness of the soul of 
 man. ... As to his life, what a beautiful life was 
 that, amid trials enough to break the heart of any other 
 man.''' Poverty, and a mean, poor destiny which, if he 
 were an ambitious man, would have driven him mad, 
 but he would not suffer himself to be subdued by it. 
 And it was fortunate for us. If he had been suffered 
 to live quietly in Warwickshire, his mind was so rich 
 in itself, he would have found such ' sermons in stones 
 and good in every thing,' that he would probably not 
 have troubled the world at all with his productions." t 
 
 T. Carlyle. 
 
 "*■' These emphases are by the hand of this editor. 
 
 t It may be observed how our great essayist accentuates the character 
 that breathes in Shakspeare's sonnets. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 W 
 
 HAMLET. 
 
148 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 HAMLET. 
 
 ^be jfountaine. 
 
 "And there were in the same countrey shepheards 
 abiding in the field, and keeping watch by night 
 because of their flocke. 
 
 "And loe, the Angel of the Lord came upon them, 
 and the glorie of the Lord shone about them, and 
 they were sore afraide. Then the Angel said unto 
 them, Bee not afraide : for behold, I bring you tidings 
 of great joy, that shall be to all the people : that is, 
 that unto you is borne this day in the citie of David, 
 a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shal be 
 a signe to you, Ye shall find the child swadled, and 
 layd in a cratch. And straightway there was with 
 the Angel a multitude of heavenly souldiers, praysing 
 God, and saying. Glory bee to God in the high heavens 
 and peace in earth, and towards men, good will. And 
 it came to passe when the Angels were gone away 
 from them into heaven, that the shepheards said one 
 to another. Let us goe then unto Bethlehem, and see 
 this thing that is come to passe, which the Lord hath 
 shewed unto us. So they came with haste, and found 
 both Mary and Joseph, and the babe layd in the cratch." 
 Luke ii. 8-16. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 149 
 
 HAMLET. 
 
 {As it hath been acted in the two Universities of Cambridge 
 and Oxford, 1603.) * 
 
 Marcellus. Some say, that ever 'gainst that 
 season comes 
 Wherein our Saviour's birth is celebrated, 
 This bird of dawning singeth all night long : 
 And then, they say, no spirit dares stir abroad ; 
 The nights are wholesome; then no planets strike, 
 No fairy takes, nor witch hath power to charm, 
 So hallow'd and so gracious is that time. 
 
 Horatio. So have I heard, and do in part believe it. 
 But look, the morn, in russet mantle clad, 
 Walks o'er the dew of yond' high eastern hill. 
 
 (Act I. Scene I.) 
 
ISO 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 Zbz Jfountaine. 
 
 " God is our hope and strength, and help, in troubles, 
 ready to be found." — Psalme xlvi. i. 
 
 " Now at midnight, Paul and Silas prayed, and sung 
 a Psalme unto God; and the prisoners heard them. 
 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that 
 the foundation of the prison was shaken ; and by and 
 by all the doores opened, and every mans bands were 
 loosed. Then the keeper of the prison waked out of 
 his sleepe, and when hee saw the prison doores open, 
 he drew out his sword, and would have killed himselfe, 
 supposing the prisoners had been fled. But Paul cried 
 with a loude voyce, saying do thyselfe no harme: for 
 wee are all here." — Acts xvi. 25-28. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 151 
 
 HAMLET. 
 
 Hamlet. O ! that this too, too solid flesh would 
 melt, 
 Thaw, and resolve itself into a dew ; 
 Or that the Everlasting had not fix'd 
 His canon 'gainst self-slaughter. O God ! O God ! 
 How weary, stale, flat and unprofitable 
 Seem to me all the uses of this world ! 
 Fie on 't ! O fie ! 't is an unweeded garden, 
 That grows to seed ; things rank, and gross in nature, 
 Possess it merely. That it should come to this ! 
 But two months dead ! — nay, not so much, not two : 
 So excellent a king ; that was, to this, 
 Hyperion to a Satyr : so loving to my mother, 
 That he might not beteem* the winds of heaven 
 Visit her face too roughly. Heaven and earth ! 
 Must I remember? Why, she would hang on him, 
 As if increase of appetite had grown 
 By what it fed on ; and yet, within a month, — 
 Let me not think on 't. — Frailty, thy name is woman ! 
 
 (Act I. Scene II.) 
 * " Suffer.'— RowE. " BriDg forth.'— Webster. 
 
IS2 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 ZLbe jfountaine. 
 
 " Rebekah said to Izhak, I am weary of my life . . . 
 what availeth it me to live ? " — Genesis xxvii. 46. 
 
 " They shall be taken with feare." — Psalme xiv. 5. 
 
 "Mine heart trembleth within me, and the terrors of 
 death are fallen upon me. Feare and trembling are 
 come upon me, and an horrible feare hath covered 
 me." — Psalme Iv. 4, 5. 
 
 "I will send you Elijah the Prophet before the 
 comming of the great and fearfuU day of the Lord."* — 
 Malachi iv. 5. 
 
 " Feare ye not them which kill the body, but are not 
 able to kil the soule, but rather feare him, which is able 
 to destroy both soule and body in hell." — Matthew x. 28. 
 
 " Then he called for a light, and leaped in, and came 
 trembling, and fell downe before Paul and Silas, and 
 brought them out, and said. Sirs, what must I doe to be 
 saved ? And they said beleeve in the Lord Jesus Christ, 
 and thou shalt be saved, and thine household." — 
 Acts xvi. 29, 30. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 153 
 
 HAMLET. 
 
 Hamlet. To be, or not to be ; that is the 
 question : — 
 
 Whether 't is nobler in the mind, to suffer 
 
 The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune ; 
 
 Or to take arms against a sea of troubles 
 
 And by opposing, end them ? To die, — to sleep, — 
 
 No more ; and, by a sleep, to say we end 
 
 The heartache, and the thousand natural shocks 
 
 That flesh is heir to, — 't is a consummation 
 
 Devoutly to be wish'd. To die ; — to sleep : — 
 
 To sleep ! perchance to dream : — ay, there 's the rub ; 
 
 For in that sleep of death what dreams may come. 
 
 When we have shuffled off this mortal coil, 
 
 Must give us pause. There 's the respect 
 
 That makes calamity of so long life : 
 
 (Act III. Scene I.) 
 
1 54 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 HAMLET. 
 
 ^be ifountaine. 
 
 " The word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision 
 saying, Feare not, Abram I am thy buckler and thine 
 exceeding great reward." — Gen. xv. i. 
 
 " Fret not thyselfe because of the wicked men, neither 
 be envious for the evil doers, for they shall soone be cut 
 downe like grasse and shall wither as the greene herbe. 
 
 " Trust thou in the Lord and do good : dwel in the 
 land, and thou shalt be fed assuredly. 
 
 "And delight thyselfe in the Lord, and he shall give 
 thee thine heart's desire." — Psalme xxxvii. 1-5. 
 
 " Feare thou not, O Zion : let not thine hands be faint. 
 The Lord thy God in the middes of thee is mightie : 
 he will save." — Zephaniah iii. 16, 17. 
 
 '■'■Seeing we have an high Priest which is over the 
 house of God, let us drawe neere with a true heart in 
 assurance of faith, sprinkled in our hearts from an evill 
 conscience, and washed in our bodies with pure water." 
 — Hebrews x. 21, 22. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 155 
 
 HAMLET. 
 
 Hamlet \continuing\. For who would bear the 
 whips and scorns of time, 
 The oppressor's wrong, the proud man's contumely. 
 The pangs of ddspis'd love, the law's delay, 
 The insolence of office, and the spurns 
 That patient merit, of the unworthy, takes, 
 When he himself might his quietus make 
 With a bare bodkin ? Who would fardels bear, 
 To grunt and sweat under a weary life, 
 But that the dread of something after death, — 
 The undiscover'd country, from whose bourne 
 No traveller returns, — puzzles the will. 
 And makes us rather bear those ills we have. 
 Than fly to others that we know not of? 
 Thus conscience does make cowards of us all ; 
 And thus the native hue of resolution 
 Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought, 
 And enterprises of great pith and moment. 
 With this regard their currents turn awry, 
 And lose the name of action. ,„ ^ 
 
 (Act III. Scene I.) 
 
156 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 ^bc ifountaine. 
 
 "They which shall be counted worthy to enjoy that 
 world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry 
 wives, neither are married. For they can die no more, 
 for as-much as they are equall unto the Angels, and are 
 the sonnes of God, since they are the children of the 
 resurrection." — Luke xx. 35, 36. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 157 
 
 HAMLET. 
 
 Hamlet. Go to ; I '11 no more on't : it hath made 
 me mad. I say, we will have no more marriages : those 
 that are married already, all but one, shall live ; the rest 
 shall keep as they are. To a nunnery, go. 
 
 [Exit Hamlet. 
 
 Ophelia. O what a noble mind is here o'erthrown ! 
 The courtier's, soldier's, scholar's — eye, tongue, sword: 
 Th' expectancy and rose of the fair state, 
 The glass of fashion, and the mould of form, 
 Th' observ'd of all observers, quite, quite down ! 
 And I, of ladies most deject and wretched. 
 That suck'd the honey of his music vows. 
 Now see that noble and most sovereign reason. 
 Like sweet bells jangled, out of tune, and harsh ; 
 That unmatch'd form and feature of blown youth. 
 Blasted with ecstacy. O, woe is me ! 
 To have seen what I have seen, see what I see ! 
 
 (Act in. Scene I.) 
 
158 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 XTbe ffountaine. 
 
 " God is manifested in the flesh." — i Titnothy iii. i6. 
 " He in no sort tooke the Angels, but he tooke the 
 seede of Abraham." — Hebrews ii. i6. 
 
 " Most great and precious promises are given unto us 
 that by them ye should be partakers of the godly nature." 
 — 2 Peter i. 4. 
 
 " Howbeit, that was not first made which is spirituall 
 but that which is natural, and afterward that which is 
 spirituall." — i Corinthians xv. 46. 
 
SHAKSPEARIANA. 
 
 Archbishop Trench. 
 (I.) 
 
 Parable — The Talents. 
 
 ' ' ' He thai received mie talent and digged in the earth and 
 hid his Lord's money.' How apt an image this, for the failing 
 to use divinely-imparted gifts. . . . Compare Shakspeare — 
 
 " 'Heaven doth with us, as we, with torches, do, 
 Not light them for themselves ; for if our virtues 
 Did not go forth of us 't were all alike 
 As if we had them not. Spirits are not iinely touch'd 
 But to fine issues ; nor nature never lends 
 The smallest scruple of her excellence. 
 But like a thrifty goddess, she determines 
 Herself the glory of a creditor 
 Both thanks and use.' " 
 
 {Measure for Measure. Act I. Scene I.) 
 
 Parable — The Sower. 
 
 " What influence the spirit of one man may exercise on the 
 spirits of his fellows. While all words, even of men, which 
 are better than mere breath, are as seeds, able to take root in 
 their minds and hearts who hear them, have germs in them 
 which only unfold by degrees: thus Shakspeare of a man .of 
 thoughtful wisdom — 
 
 " * Methinks I hear him now ; his plausive words 
 He scatter'd not in ears, but grafted them 
 To grow there and to bear.' " 
 
 {All's Well that Ends Well. Act I. Scene IL) 
 
 «: 
 
SHAKSPEARIANA. 
 
 Archbishop Trench. 
 (11.) 
 
 Parables— 77/e Prodigal Son. 
 " He will take his journey into a fer country, even into that 
 land where God is not. . . . 
 
 "Henceforth he is his own master, but only to find the truth 
 of that line which Shakspeare wrote and to which so many, the 
 poet himself included, have set their seal — 
 
 " *Lord of himself, that heritage of woe.' 
 ****** 
 
 " We may picture the forlorn prodigal to ourselves as having 
 sat long while upon the ground, for the earth presents itself 
 as the natural throne of the utterly desolate. (Job ii. 8, 13.) 
 So Constance, in King John — 
 
 " ' My grief's so great 
 That no supporter but the huge, firm earth 
 Can hold it up : here 1 and sorrow sit ; 
 Here is my throne, bid kings come, bow to it.' "* 
 
 Miracles — Bethesda. 
 " The deceiver is deceived, as was Jacob (Gen. xxvii.-xxxvii. ) ; 
 the violator of the sanctities of family life is himself wounded, 
 and outraged in his tenderest and dearest relations ; the troubler 
 is troubled. He has no choice but to say, as in King Lear — 
 " ' [Edgar. The gods are just, and of our pleasant vices 
 Make instruments to plague us.] 
 
 Edmund. Thou hast spoken right, 'tis true. 
 The wheel has come full cu*cle ! I am here.' " t 
 
 Miracles — The Barren Fig-tree. 
 " 'Why cumbereth it the ground?' implies something more 
 than that it occupied the room which might have been filled by 
 another. Even so we have in Shakspeare — 
 
 " ' The noisome weeds that, without profit, suck 
 The soil's fertility from wholesome flowers.' " 
 
 * King John. Act III. Scene I. i Kir^ Lear. Act IV. Scene III. 
 
l62 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 ENGLAND 
 
 (Warwickshire). 
 
 " Did Shakespeare . . 
 Absorb the light here ? " 
 
 ****** 
 " Whoever loves true life, will love true love. 
 1 leam'd to love this England." 
 
 ****** 
 As if God's finger touch' d, but did not press 
 In making England, — such an up and down 
 Of verdure, — nothing too much up or down ; 
 A ripple of land — such little hills, the sky 
 Can stoop to, tenderly, and, the wheatfields, climb ; 
 Such nooks of valleys lined with orchises. 
 Fed full of noises by invisible streams ; 
 And open pastures where you scarcely tell 
 White daisies from white dew, — at intervals 
 The mythic oaks and elm-trees standing out 
 Self-poised upon their prodigy of shade, — 
 I thought my father's land was worthy too 
 Of being my Shakespeare's." 
 
 Aurora Leigh. — E. B. B. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 163 
 
 ZEestimon^. 
 
 F. Bayard,* at the Mansion House, 
 March 2nd, 1897. 
 
 "He came to England feeling that there was a 
 plain duty between all men who spoke the tongue of 
 Shakspeare, and held the faith and morals that Milton 
 held, to stand together . . . for the great purposes for 
 which, he believed, under God, our Race had been 
 intended. . . . He would not close without asking them 
 to accept a line that had long dwelt with him : — 
 
 " ' When earth, as in an evil dream, looks back upon her wars, 
 And the white light of Christ outsprings from the red disc 
 
 of Mars, 
 His fame, who led the stormy van of battle, well may cease ; 
 But never that which crowns the man whose victory was 
 
 peace.' " + 
 
 (From the Daily Telegraph, March 3rd, 1897.) 
 
 * The Hon. Thomas F. Bayard, four years (1893-7) Ambassador from 
 the United States of America to the Court of Great Britain, 
 t J. G. Whittier, on the death of Colonel W. F. Bartlett, U.S.A. 
 
. . _ JR 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 From BRYAN W. PROCTER'S 
 
 leulogi? of SbaF^0peare. 
 
 "Shakspeare was (and is) beyond all competition, the greatest 
 Poet that the world has ever seen. He is greatest in general 
 power, and greatest in style, which is a symbol or evidence of 
 power. For the motion of verse corresponds with the power of 
 the Poet; as the swell and tumult of the sea answer to the winds 
 that call them up. From Lear down to Pericles there ought to 
 be no mistake between Shakspeare and any other writer. 
 
 " We hold him to have been, ' not one but Legion ! ' 
 
 ' ' He was a man eminently acute, logical, philosophical. 
 
 "His reasoning faculty was on a par with his imagination and 
 pervaded all his works as completely. His ' Henry the Fifth ' 
 proved that he could argue a case with the precision of a lawyer. 
 If we ourselves were desired to point to any one quality as pre- 
 dominant above the rest, we should be inclined to fix upon the 
 infinite delicacy of his mind, which [with equal subtlety and 
 judgment] defined the thousand shades and variety of human 
 character, — all that lies between the good and the bad, the strong 
 and the weak, the lofty and the low. Or, we might perhaps rest 
 on that marvellous freedom from egotism, which enabled him to 
 create so many beings (all with the true stamp of humanity upon 
 them) without betraying a single touch of any humour or in- 
 firmity peculiar to himself. But we should do neither. For his 
 great merit, as it appears to us, is, that he had no peculiar or 
 prominent merit. His mind was so well constituted, so justly 
 and admirably balanced, that it had nothing in excess. 
 
 "In 1616 Shakspeare died ! and notwithstanding that much 
 had been said of Ben Jonson's jealousy of that greatest of Poets, 
 the noblest verses which were sent forth in the shape of an el^y, 
 on his death, proceeded from Jonson's pen. . . . One of the best 
 and sincerest things he ever wrote ; alone enough to vindicate 
 Shakspeare's memory from many of the calumnies that had so 
 long beset his moral character." B. W. P.* 
 
 * Barry Cornwall. 
 
SHAKSPEAKE AND THE BIBLE 165 
 
 a Selection 
 
 OF 
 
 SHAKSPEARE'S SONNETS 
 
 Illustrated by the Sacred Word. 
 
 '^t HAT the mind of our Poet was permeated with the 
 •*>' Word of God, has, for many years, been clearly 
 apparent to the author of this selection, which gathers 
 together, in a concise form, his reflections from time to 
 time, when, in the quietude of his home, he found 
 freedom in his soul. 
 
 The reader will discover ample scope for meditation on 
 them when, even on a journey, he can retire into himself. 
 The text is that of the Bible of Shakspeare's own day — 
 the Genevan Edition — which, Dr. Paterson Smyth tells 
 us, "followed the 'Great Bible' (virtually Tyndale's) of 
 1539, and ' was the favourite of the people.' 
 
 " It was less cumbrous than the ' Great Bible.' The 
 first to omit the Apocrypha . . . and to lay aside the old 
 black letter for the present Roman type,* and to use 
 italics for aU words not occurring in the original." t 
 
 * This change was not made until after the edition of 1610. 
 
 t " Hffiu we got our £id/e," hy J, Paterson Smyth, b.d., ll.d. 
 (Samuel Bagster & Sons, Ltd.) 
 
 '« 
 
i66 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 MEMORANDUM. 
 
 tSs N the eve of going to press Dr. Dowden's interest- 
 ^^ ing volume unexpectedly came to hand, previously 
 unheard of; and as it is an exhaustive undertaking to 
 supply all possible human light for the intelligent reader, 
 a few observations may be acceptable to the same, who 
 lovingly desires to understand our Poet in his largest, 
 and, confessedly, least perceived meanings. 
 
 He rose above the altitudes of earthly things even to 
 the heavenly, and penetrated the mystery of the inspired 
 records for himself. He " searched the Scriptures " not 
 in vain : the veil he wrote under was the necessity of 
 the man, of his associations, and his times. 
 
 The Professor has also said much in few words — 
 
 " My aim is to render Shakspeare's meaning clear." 
 ****** 
 
 " In the main his eye was fixed on the true ends of 
 life- ' * * * * * * 
 
 " His Sonnets express his own feelings in his own 
 person." E. D. 
 
«_- 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 167 
 
 The "Two loves," he had, "of comfort and despair" 
 were Christ, his comfort, and himself, despair; but his 
 choicest figures in his purest embodiments, as well as 
 in his saddest and most repulsive, are one unbroken 
 allegory of truth. 
 
 Shakspeare's references to the Scriptures occur in 
 his Dramas, with very few exceptions, and probably 
 in more than a hundred places ; but with peculiar care 
 and delicacy, he avoids quoting the text of Scripture, 
 lest he should incur the reproof of or offend the clergy, 
 and thus defeat his happy purpose of pointing to the 
 Word of life. He therefore ingeniously endeavours to 
 awaken the curiosity of the ignorant, and enliven the 
 devout intelligence of Scripture readers, and all church 
 members, by his method of application. 
 
 In his Poems he pursues an entirely different course ; 
 abstaining from an open reference to Bible figures 
 incident to its teaching, he breathes out spiritual truth 
 in figurative language full of devout aspirations, pre- 
 senting, out of his own secret experience, the corruption 
 of the natural heart, and the discovered remedy in the 
 new man, Christ Jesus ; faith in whom is the well-spring 
 of a new life to every willing soul. C. E. 
 
K, 
 
 i68 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 Zhz lpoet'5 ifaitb in (tbriet 
 
 Glowing in his Sonnets, affirmed in his Will. 
 
 <7ITH0UT straining too far lines in the Sonnets 
 which appear to intimate his own mournful (?) 
 sense of humiliation in his calling of player, the Age 
 itself so austerely refused to recognize the Stage as a 
 school of morals or an ally of religion, that possibly 
 Shakspeare, who so solemnly attests his Christian faith 
 in the Will written a year before his death, might have 
 had some humble doubts whether his mighty genius 
 had conferred those vast benefits on mankind which 
 are now recognized in the wisdom of its genial and 
 comprehensive humanity. And thus, silent as to the 
 works of his mind, he speaks but of the deathless 
 nature of his soul — ' I commend my soul into the 
 hands of God my Creator, hoping and assuredly, 
 through the only merits of Jesus Christ my Saviour, 
 to be made partaker of life everlasting, and my body 
 to the earth whereof \% is made.'" 
 
 Bulwer-Lytton. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 169 
 
 SONNETS. 
 
I70 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 -» 
 
 Z\)Z Sonnet. 
 
 SONGS OF DEGREES. 
 
 ^WHE condensed form of a complete poem in fourteen 
 "^ metrical lines is ever set before us in the Psalms 
 "to be esteemed as a most precious treasure wherein 
 all things are contained that appertaine to true felicitie." 
 
 Peculiarly those Psalms of David, fifteen in number, 
 cxx. to cxxxiv. inclusive. 
 
 The G. V. translators, 1550-1620, say "'Song of 
 degrees,' that is, of lifting up the tune, and rising in 
 singing." 
 
 "Each successive Psalm," says John Wilson,* "is 
 descriptive of a successive step" in approach to the 
 Temple. For example, he adjusts Psalm cxxi. as given 
 on the page facing this. 
 
SHAA'SPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 171 
 
 ^be Sonnet. 
 
 Example from the Psalms of David. — Psalms cxx.-cxxxiv. 
 
 psalme c^ji., 6.1D, 
 
 tW WILL lift up mine eyes unto the mountaines 
 ^ From whence mine help shall come 
 Mine helpe cometh from the Lord which hath made the 
 heaven and the earth. 
 
 He will not suffer thy foot to slip 
 
 For he that keepeth thee will not slumber 
 Behold he that keepeth thee will neither slumber nor 
 sleepe. 
 
 The Lord is thy keeper : 
 The Lord is thy shadow at thy right hand 
 The sunne shall not smite thee by day 
 
 Nor the moone by night. 
 
 The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil 
 He shall keepe thy soule : 
 The Lorde shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in 
 From henceforth and for ever. 
 
172 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 Sonnets. 
 
 "^y HE lover of genuine poetry may be referred to the 
 -^ Sonnets of Shakspeare as to an inexhaustible mine 
 of most precious ore." R. F. Hausman. 
 
 "The Sonnets," says Samuel Taylor Coleridge, "are 
 characterised by boundless fertility and laboured con- 
 densation of thought, with perfection of sweetness in 
 rhythm and metre." 
 
 Note. — As it can be said, so is it well to say that this selection of the 
 Sonnets was made at a time when the selector was unacquainted with any 
 other opinion upon them, and independent of any able discourser on their 
 differing merits, influenced solely by the light illuminating them from the 
 divine Word. C. E. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 173 
 
 Sonnets. 
 
 W. Wordsworth (Essay of Shakspea.re}^ expressing his own feelings 
 in his own person. 
 
 "tSJNE of the most striking proofs of the almost 
 
 ^^ omnipotent genius of Shakspeare is that he could 
 turn to such glorious purpose those materials which the 
 prepossessions of the Age compelled him to make use of. 
 Yet even this marvellous skill appears not to have been 
 enough to prevent his rivals from having some advantage 
 over him. . . . 
 
 " I have no doubt in my own mind . . . some gross 
 things were foisted in by the players. . . . How long 
 may it be . . . before it becomes universally acknowledged 
 that the judgment of Shakspeare in the selection of his 
 materials . . . constitute a unity of their own, and 
 contribute all to one great end? . . . 
 
 " There is not a part of the writings of this Poet, than 
 in the Sonnets, where is found, in an equal compass, 
 a greater number of exquisite feelings felicitously ex- 
 pressed." 
 
 " Steevens," adds Wordsworth, "was insensible to their 
 beauties, . . . and the people of England were ignorant 
 of the treasures contained in those little pieces.'' 
 
174 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 ^be Jfountaine, 
 
 (To Spenser's Sonnet.) 
 
 " His body also was like the chrysolite and his face 
 [to look upon] like lightning, and his eyes as lampes 
 of fire, and his armes, and his feete were like in colour 
 to polished brasse." — Daniel x. 6. 
 
 " His head and haires were white as white wool, and 
 as snow, and his eyes were as a flame of fire." — Revela- 
 tion i. 14. 
 
 " Tume away thine eyes from me : for they overcome 
 mee." — Song vi. 4. 
 
 " Mine eyes have seene thy salvation." — Luke ii. 30. 
 
 " Blessed are your eyes for they see : and your eares 
 for they heare." — Matthew xiii. 16. 
 
 " Then spake Jesus againe unto them saying, 
 " I am the light of the world : he that foUoweth me 
 shall not walke in darkenesse."— yoA« viii. 12. 
 
^i 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 175 
 
 a Sonnet 
 
 FROM SPENSER'S " AMORETTI." 
 
 This sonnet is given on its own account, and to illustrate the like principle which 
 was adopted by our Poet in the following selection. Spenser moved in the highest 
 religious circle ; — not so his great contemporary. 
 
 Jjji® ONG while I sought to what I might compare 
 
 Those powrefuU eies, which lighten my dark spright ; 
 
 Yet find I nought on earth to which I dare 
 
 Resemble th' ymage of their goodly light : 
 
 Not to the sun ; for they doo shine by night ; 
 
 Nor to the moone ; for they are changed never ; 
 
 Nor to the starres ; for they have purer sight ; 
 
 Nor to the fire ; for they consume not ever ; 
 
 Nor to the lightning ; for they still persdver ; 
 
 Nor to the diamond ; for they are more tender ; 
 
 Nor unto crystall ; for nought may them sever ; 
 
 Nor unto glasse ; such baseness mought offend her. 
 Then to the Maker selfe they likest be, 
 Whose light doth lighten all that here we see. 
 
 E. S. 
 
176 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 xrbe Xife Morft 
 
 OP 
 
 THE BARD OF AVON. 
 
 ^WHE tenderest breathing of a faithful soul 
 " As ever in his great Task-master's eye," 
 Distilling fragrance in a golden bowl — 
 
 Incense, impatient for the throne on high ; 
 Rack'd with the cruel anguish of the strife, 
 
 Moaning upon this planet of afiliction. 
 On which is daily borne the death of life 
 
 Even in summer time ! past contradiction : 
 Where could his penetrating orb have rest. 
 
 Seeking amongst the noblest, fairest forms 
 He gaz'd upon ? There is one only " best"; 
 
 That blest embodiment, above the storms 
 Of earth, and there he found that Friend of man, 
 
 His great Redeemer — to Him, Suffragan. 
 
 C. E. 
 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 177 
 
 SONNETS. 
 
178 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 "ZTbe ifountaine of Xife.' 
 
 GENEVAN VERSION 
 (Edition i6io). 
 
 "Loo, the starre which they had seen in the East 
 went before them till it came and stood over the place 
 where the babe was, and when they saw the starre they 
 rejoyced with an exceeding great joy." — Matthew ii. 9, 10. 
 
 " I, Jesus .... am the bright morning starre." — 
 Revelation xxii. 16. 
 
 "Unto you that feare my name shal the sunne of 
 righteousnes arise, and health shal bee under his wings." 
 — Malachi iv. 2. 
 
 " For the Lord God is the sunne and shield unto usj 
 the Lord will give grace and glory : and no good thing 
 will he withhold from them that walke uprightly." — 
 Psalm Ixxxiv. ii. 
 
 " I am the light of the world : he that followeth me 
 shall not walke in darkenesse, but shall have the light 
 of \iie."—John viii. 12. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 179 
 
 Sonnet yiv. 
 
 The Poet is no "star-gazer,'' but finds astronomy in the study of 
 His perfections, who "made the stars also," that divine luminary 
 around which revolve, in their orbits, light, truth, honour, wisdom, 
 knowledge, and glory. 
 
 rOT from the stars do I my judgment pluck, 
 And yet, methinks, I have astronomy, 
 But not to tell of good or evil luck, 
 Of plagues, of dearths, or seasons' quality ; 
 Nor can I fortune to brief minutes tell. 
 Painting to each his thunder, rain, and wind ; 
 Or say with princes if it shall go well. 
 By oft predict that I in heaven find : 
 But from thine eyes my knowledge I derive 
 And (constant stars,) in them I read such art. 
 As truth and beauty shall together thrive 
 If from thyself to store thou would'st convert ; 
 Or else of thee, this I prognosticate, 
 Thy end is truth's and beauty's doom and date.* 
 
 * "A man surpassing all the sons of men." 
 (Extract from the letter of Publius Lentulus to the Roman Senate 
 in the reign of Tiberius Caesar, descriptive of the person of Christ.) 
 
i8o 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 ^be ifountaine. 
 
 (this vine) — " Shall it prosper ? Shall hee not pull up 
 the rootes thereof and destroy the fruite thereof, and 
 cause them to drie : all the leaves of her bud shall 
 wither." — Ezekiel xvii. 9. 
 
 " My moisture is turned into the drought of summer.'' 
 — Psalm xxxii. 4. 
 
 " The earth and the heavens . . . they all shall ware 
 old as doeth a garment . . . but thou art the same, and 
 thy yeeres shall not faile." — Hebrews i. pts. 10, 11, 12. 
 
 "Every good giving and every perfect gift is from 
 above, and commeth downe from the Father of lights, 
 with whom is no variablenesse, neither shadowing by 
 turning."— ;/«»«« i. 17. 
 
 "His countenance as Lebanon, excellent as the 
 cedars ; his mouth is as sweet things, and hee is wholly 
 delectable." — Songw. pts. 15, 16. 
 
 "Your life is hid with Christ in God." — Colossians 
 iii. 3. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE i8i 
 
 Sonnet yviii. 
 
 He trusts in the constancy and all-sufficiency of Christ for all 
 good in this life, and in that life which is to come. 
 
 S HALL I compare thee to a summer's day? 
 Thou art more lovely and more temperate; 
 Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May, 
 And summer's lease hath all too short a date. 
 Sometimes too hot the eye of heaven shines, 
 And often is his gold complexion dimm'd; 
 And every fair from fair sometime declines, 
 By subtle nature's changing course untrimm'd. 
 But thy eternal summer shall not fade, 
 Nor lose possession of that fair thou owest ;* 
 Nor shall death brag, thou wander'st in his shade, 
 When in eternal lines to time thou growest. 
 
 So long as men can breathe, or eyes can see. 
 So long lives this, and this gives life to thee. 
 
 * 'owest' — that is, 'ownest.' 
 " This is no mortal business, nor no sound 
 That the earth owes" — (i.e. owns. Collier). 
 
 The Tempest, Act I. sc. 2, and elsewhere. 
 
l82 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 ^be fountaine. 
 
 " Out of Zion, which is the perfection of beauty, hath 
 God shined." — Psalme 1. 2. 
 
 " The earth opened her mouth and swallowed them up 
 with their families, and all the men that were with Korah, 
 and all their goods ; but there came out a fire from the 
 Lord, and consumed the two hundred and fiftie men that 
 offered the incense." — Numbers xvi. 32, 35. 
 
 " Oh that my people had hearkened unto me." — Psalme 
 Ixxxi. 13. 
 
 " They thinke their houses and their habitations shall 
 continue for ever, even from generation to generation, and 
 call their lands by their names ; but man shal not con- 
 tinue in honour." — Psalme xlix. ii, 12. 
 
 " But thou art the same and thy yeeres shall not faile." 
 — Psalme cii. 27. 
 
 "My soule, praise thou the Lord, and all that is 
 within mc praise his holy name . . . which forgiveth all 
 thine iniquitie and healeth all thine infirmities ; which 
 redeemeth thy life from the grave, and crowneth thee with 
 mercie and compassions." — Psalme ciii. i, 3, 4. 
 
 "Jesus said unto her . . . whosoever liveth and be- 
 leeveth in me shall never die ; beleevest thou this? Shee 
 said unto him yea, Lord, I beleeve that thou art the 
 Christ the sonne of GoA.!'^John xi. pts. 25, 26, 27. 
 
 "Thou hast shewed me the wayes of life, and shall 
 make me full of joy with thy countenance."— ./4c/j ii . pt. 28. 
 
SffAJCSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 183 
 
 Sonnet yiy. 
 
 He is satisfied that for beauty and worth, Christ far exceeds all 
 that can be possessed on earth : Christ, from his soul, can never be 
 parted. 
 
 |EVOURING Time, blunt thou the lion's paws, 
 
 And make the earth devour her own sweet brood ; 
 Pluck the keen teeth from the fierce tiger's jaws, 
 And bum the long-lived Phoenix in her blood. 
 Make glad and sorry seasons as thou fleet'st, 
 And do whate'er thou wilt, swift-footed Time, 
 To the wide world and all her fading sweet'st* 
 But I defy thee one most heinous crime : 
 O ! carve not with thy hours my Love's fair brow. 
 Nor draw no lines there with thine antique pen ; 
 Him in thy course untainted do allow. 
 For beauty's pattern to succeeding men. 
 
 Yet do thy worst, old Time : despite thy wrong. 
 My Love shall in my verse ever live young. 
 
i84 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 ^be ifountaine. 
 
 " The heart is deceitful! and wicked above all things, 
 who can know it? I, the Lord, search the heart." — 
 Jeremiah xvii. 9, 10. 
 
 "I will give them an heart to know me, that I am 
 the Lord, and they shall be my people, and I will be 
 their God, for they shall returne unto me with their 
 whole hezxi."— Jeremiah xxiv. 7. 
 
 " A new heart also wil I give you, and a new spirit will 
 put within you and I wil take away the stonie heart out 
 
 of your body and I will give you an heart of flesh." — 
 
 Ezekiel xxxvi. 26. 
 
 "My Sonne give me thine heart and let thine eyes 
 delight in my wayes." — Proverbs xxiii. 26. 
 
 " Thy people shall come willingly at the time oj assem- 
 bling; thine armie in holy beautie, the youth of thy 
 wombe shall bee as the morning dewe." — Psalme ex. 3. 
 
 " Create in me a cleane heart O God." — Psalme li. 10. 
 
 " Master, if thou wilt thou canst make me cleane, and 
 Jesus, putting forth his hand, touched him saying, I will, 
 be thou cleane." — Matthew viii. pts. 2, 3. 
 
«. 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 185 
 
 Sonnet yyii. 
 
 He has learned the deceitfulness of his own heart— he has given it 
 over to his Lord, who has fiilfiUed His promise to give him a new 
 heart. Thus his youth is renewed. All fluctuations in him are 
 henceforth but a seeming of life— he has the heart of a new life and 
 is resolved to keep it. 
 
 f^Y glass shall not persuade me I am old 
 So long as youth and thou are of one date ; 
 But when in thee Time's furrows I behold, 
 Then look I death my days should expiate ; * 
 For all that beauty that doth cover thee, 
 Is but the seemly raiment of my heart, 
 Which in thy breast doth live, as thine in me. 
 How can I then be elder than thou art ? 
 O therefore, love, be of thyself so wary 
 As I, not for myself, but for thee will,t 
 Bearing thy heart, which I will keep so chary, 
 As tender nurse her babe from faring ill. 
 
 Presume not on thy heart when mine is slain ; 
 
 Thou gav'st me thine, not to give back again. 
 
 * In his play flf ' Richard the 3rd ' the Poet uses the word ' expiate ' 
 exactly in the same sense, i.e. terminate. — ^J. P. C. 
 
 + This may be held to show the completeness of the attachment 
 between the lover and the beloved one — Christ and the believer. 
 
i86 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 ^be fountaine. 
 
 " Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels ; 
 let now the astrologers, the starre-gazers and prognosti- 
 cators stand up and save thee." — Isaiah xlvii. 13. 
 
 (The Lord) "powreth contempt upon princes and 
 maketh the strength of the mighty weake . . . they 
 grope in the darke without light."— _/oi5 xii. 21, pt. 25. 
 
 "Surely every man in his best state is altogether 
 vanitie." — Psalme xxxix. 5. 
 
 " And Joab the sonne of Zeruiah was over the hoste . . 
 and David's sonnes were chiefe rulers." — 2 Samuel viii. 
 16-18. 
 
 " And King Salomon sent by the hand of Benaiah . . . 
 and hee smote (Adonijah) that he died. 
 
 "Benaiah . . . went up and smote (Joab) and slew 
 him." — I Kings ii. 25-34. 
 
 " I live by the faith in the sonne of God who hath 
 loved mee and given himselfe for me." — Galatians ii. 
 pt. 20. , 
 
 "We love him because he loved us first." — i John 
 iv. 19. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 187 
 
 Sonnet yyv. 
 
 He observes that all the favours of this world are transitory — he 
 does not believe in being born under a lucky star — those in highest 
 fevour with princes are the least secure — the rewards of great hazards 
 and high dangers in warfare are forfeited upon one reverse, but Christ's 
 victory is final, and has secured enduring honour to his followers. 
 
 ET those who are in favour with their stars 
 Of public honour and proud titles boast, 
 Whilst I, whom fortune of such triumph bars 
 (Unlook'd for), joy in that I honour most. 
 Great princes' favourites their fair leaves spread, 
 But, as the marigold, at the sun's eye, 
 And in themselves their pride lies buried. 
 For at a frown they, in their glory, die. 
 The painful warrior famoused for fight. 
 After a thousand victories, once foil'd 
 Is, from the book of honour razdd quite. 
 And all the rest forgot, for which he toil'd. 
 Then happy I, that love and am beloved. 
 Where I may not remove, nor be removed. 
 
«. 
 
 i88 
 
 JK 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 Z\iz fountaine. 
 
 "Behold I have caused thy iniquitie to depart from 
 thee and I will clothe thee with change of raiment." — 
 Zechariah iii. 4. 
 
 " Friend how camest thou in hither and hast not on a 
 wedding garment ? and he was speechlesse." — Matthew 
 
 " He that loveth me shall be loved of my Father and 
 I will love him and will shew mine owne selfe to him." 
 —John xiv. 21 (and xv. 9). 
 
 " Lord, thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I love 
 thee."— ^(9^w xxi. 17. 
 
 " Sitting at the feete of Jesus, clothed and in his right 
 minde." — Luke viii. 35. 
 
 " Clothed upon that mortality might bee swallowed up 
 of life." — 2 Corinthians v. 4. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 189 
 
 Sonnet yyvi. 
 
 He looks up — he humbly dedicates his embodiment of devout 
 aspirations and meditations to his heavenly Master — his own poverty 
 is covered by His riches — in this alone he is worthy and takes courage. 
 
 Mm ORD of my love, to whom in vassalage 
 ''^^ Thy merit hath my duty strongly knit, 
 To thee I send this written embassage, 
 To witness duty, not to show my wit : 
 Duty so great, which wit so poor as mine 
 May make seem bare, in wanting words to show it. 
 But that I hope some good conceit of thine 
 In thy soul's thought, all naked, will bestow it ; 
 Till whatsoever star that guides my moving 
 Points on me graciously with fair aspect, 
 And puts apparel on my tatter'd loving 
 To show me worthy of thy sweet respect : 
 
 Then may I dare to boast how I do love thee ; 
 Till then, not show my head, where thou may'st 
 prove me. 
 ****** 
 
190 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 ^bc ifountaine. 
 
 " In my bed by night I sought him that my soule 
 loved ; I sought him but I found him not." — Song iii. i. 
 
 " Thou didest say, woe is me now ! for the Lord hath 
 layd sorow unto my sorrow: I fainted in my mourning 
 and I can finde no rsiSt."— Jeremiah xlv. 3. 
 
 "■'BresA.-corne, when it is threshed, hee doeth not 
 alway thresh it, neither doeth the wheele of his cart still 
 make a noyse, neither will he breake it with the teeth 
 thereof." — Isaiah xxviii. 28. 
 
 " All his dayes are sorrowes and his travaile griefe his 
 heart also taketh not rest in the night." — Ecclesiasies 
 ii. 23. 
 
 " The Lord giveth sight to the blinde." — Psalme cxlvi. 8. 
 
 "Then he tooke the blind by the ^3.nA}'—Marke 
 viii. 23. 
 
 " Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you ; 
 not as the world giveth give I unto you; let not your 
 heart be troubled, nor ieaxtP—John xiv. 27. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 191 
 
 Sonnet yyvii. 
 
 Weary in the body, his soul would be set free to penetrate the 
 great mysteries of faith and love, for where "mercy and truth are 
 met together,'' there "righteousness and peace have kissed" — he 
 remembers that Jesus "took the blind man by the hand,"' which 
 made "black night beauteous'' to him — there is "no quiet" out of 
 Christ. 
 
 ^EARY with toil, I haste me to my bed, 
 The dear repose for limbs with travel tired. 
 But then begins a journey in my head 
 To work my mind when body's work 's expired, 
 For then my thoughts (from far where I abide) 
 Intend a zealous pilgrimage to thee, 
 And keep my drooping eyelids open wide, 
 Looking on darkness which the blind do see ; 
 Save that my soul's imaginary sight 
 Presents thy shadow to my sightless view. 
 Which, Uke a jewel hung in ghastly night. 
 Makes black night beauteous, and her old face new. 
 Lo ! thus by day my limbs, by night my mind. 
 For thee, and for myself, no quiet find. 
 
192 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 Ztbe fountaine. 
 
 " If I layd mee downe I said When shall I arise ; and 
 measuring the evening I am even ful with tossing to and 
 fro unto the dawning of the da.y."^/ob vii. 4. 
 
 " I crie by day but thou hearest not, and by night but 
 have no audience." — Psalme xxii. 2. 
 
 " I reckoned to the morning : but hee brake aU my 
 bones like a lion, from day to night wilt thou make an 
 end of me . . . mine eyes were lift up on high : O Lord 
 it hath oppressed me, comfort me." — Isaiah xxxviii. 13, 
 14. 
 
 " O wretched man that I am." — Romans vii. 24. 
 
 " His hands as rings of gold set with the chrysolite : 
 his belly like white yvorie covered with saphirs." — Song 
 V. 14. 
 
 " Who (the Son of God) being the brightnesse of the 
 glorie and the ingraved forme of his person and bearing 
 up all things by his mightie word, hath by himselfe 
 purged our sinnes and sitteth at the right hand of the 
 Majestic in the highest places." — Hebrews i. 3. 
 
 " Thou compassest my pathes and my lying downe and 
 art accustomed to all my wayes ... if I say, yet the 
 darknesse shall hide me, even the night shal be light 
 about me." — Psalme cxxxix. 3-12. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 193 
 
 Sonnet yyvili. 
 
 He longs for rest — ^he is in great distress, for day and night he 
 cannot find it. Every endeavour only intensifies fatigue — he invites 
 contemplation on the glories of the day — he courts the night with 
 compliments, but all in vain ! — his soul is not at ease — tranquillity and 
 repose evermore flee from him 
 
 ^?OW can I then return in happy plight 
 * That am debarr'd the benefit of rest ? 
 When day's oppression is not eased by night, 
 But day by night and night by day oppress'd ? 
 And each, though enemies to cither's reign. 
 Do in consent shake hands to torture me ; 
 The one by toil, the other to complain 
 How far I toil, still farther off from thee. 
 I tell the day, to please him, thou art bright. 
 And dost him grace when clouds do blot the heaven : 
 So flatter I the swart-complexion'd night. 
 When sparkling stars twire not, thou gild'st the even : 
 But day doth daily draw my sorrows longer. 
 And night doth nightly make griefs length seem 
 stronger. 
 
 13 
 
194 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 ^bc fountaine. 
 
 " How long shall I take counsel within myselfe having 
 wearinesse dayly in mine heart: . . . lighten mine eyes 
 that I sleepe not in death." — Psalme xiii. pts. 2, 3. 
 
 " My God my soule is cast downe within me." — Psalme 
 xlii. pt. 6. 
 
 " For I fretted at the foolish when I saw the prosperitie 
 of the wicked." — Psalme Ixxiii. pt. 3. 
 
 " A small thing unto the just man is better then great 
 riches to the wicked and mighty." — Psalme xxxvii. 16. 
 
 " I waited patiently for the Lord and hee hath put 
 in my mouth a new song of praise unto our God.";— 
 Psalm.e xl. i, 3. 
 
 " Then spake Jesus againe unto them saying I am the 
 light of the ■<Kax\AP^John viii. 12. 
 
 " I rejoyce at thy word as one that findeth a great 
 spoyle." — Psalme cxix. 162. 
 
 " Rejoyce in the Lord alway : againe I say rejoyce." — 
 Phil. iv. 4. 
 
 " I will greatly rejoyce in the Lorde, and my soule 
 shall be joyfull in my God for he hath clothed mee with 
 the garments of salvation and covered me with the robe 
 of righteousnesse." — Isaiah Ixi. pt. 10. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 195 
 
 Sonnet yyiy. 
 
 He has been tempted to envy the increase of others when he 
 himself suffered decrease, but then turning his eyes off self and the 
 world to his Lord, the gloom was quickly dispelled, and he is perfectly 
 happy. 
 
 <|^HEN in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes, 
 I all alone beweep my outcast state, 
 And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries, 
 And look upon myself, and curse my fate, 
 Wishing me like to one more rich in hope, 
 Featured like him, like him with friends possess'd, 
 Desiring this man's art and that man's scope, 
 With what I most enjoy contented least ; 
 Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising, 
 Haply I think on thee, and then my state 
 (Like to the lark at break of day arising 
 From sullen earth) sings hymns at heaven's gate : 
 For thy sweet love remember'd such wealth brings 
 That then I scorn to change my state with kings. 
 
Ji 
 
 196 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 ^bc fountaine. 
 
 " Woe is mee for thee my brother Jonathan : very 
 kind hast thou beene unto me : and thy love to mee was 
 wonderfull, passing the love of women." — 2 Samuel i. 26. 
 
 " The Lord hath given and the Lord hath taken it : 
 blessed be the name of the Lord."— ^o^ i. 21. 
 
 " They waited for mee as for the raine. ... I appointed 
 out their way, and did sit as chiefe, I dwelt as a king in 
 the armie."— :/(7^ xxix. 23 and 25. 
 
 " The first man is of the earth, earthly : the second 
 man is the Lord from heaven : and as we have borne the 
 image of the earthly ; so shall wee beare the image of the 
 heavenly." — i Corinthians xv. 47 and 49. 
 
 "Thy portion is in the smooth stones of the river : 
 they, they are thy lot" (they of the earth). — Isaiah Ivii. 6. 
 
 " But unto you that feare my name shal the sunne of 
 righteousnes arise, and health shall bee under his wings." 
 — Malachi iv. 2. 
 
 " I will turne their mourning into joy and will comfort 
 them and give them joy for their soxxowes."— Jeremiah 
 xxxi. 13. 
 
 " When he (Jesus) had opened the booke, he found the 
 place where it was written the spirit of the Lord is upon 
 me because he hath anointed me : that I should preach 
 the Gospel to the poore : hee hath sent me that I should 
 heale the broken hearted, that I should preach deliver- 
 ance to the captives and recovering of sight to the 
 blinde, that I should set at libertie them that are 
 bruised." — Luke iv. 17, 18. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 197 
 
 Sonnet yyy. 
 
 Reflecting on the loss of departed earthly friends and past days 
 of earthly enjoyment, he is sad ; but one look on his heavenly friend 
 by ^th, restores peace, and covers all. 
 
 75HEN to the sessions of sweet silent thought 
 I summon up remembrance of things past, 
 I sigh the lack of many a thing I sought, 
 And with old woes, new wail my dear time's waste. 
 Then can I drown an eye unused to flow 
 For precious friends hid in death's dateless night, 
 And weep afresh love's long-since-cancell'd woe, 
 And moan th' expense of many a vanish'd sight. 
 Then can I grieve at grievances foregone, 
 And heavily from woe to woe tell o'er 
 The sad account of fore-bemoandd moan, 
 Which I new-pay, as if not paid before : 
 
 But if the while I think on thee, dear friend, 
 All losses are restored, and sorrows end. 
 
 X' 
 
^be ifountaine. 
 
 " Ho every one that thirsteth, come yee to the waters.'' 
 — Isaiah Iv. I. 
 
 " I sware unto thee and entred into a covenant with 
 thee saith the Lord God, and thou becamest mine." — 
 Ezekiel xvi. 8. 
 
 " Know ye not that all we which have bene baptized 
 into Jesus Christ have bene baptized into his death : we 
 are buried then with him, by baptisme into his death, 
 that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the 
 glory of the Father, so we also should walke in newnes 
 of life." — Romans vi. 3, 4. 
 
 '• Likewise thinke yee also that yee are dead to sinne, 
 but are alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord." — Romans 
 vi. II. 
 
 " That in the dispensation of the fulnes of the times 
 hee might gather together in one all things, both which 
 are in heaven and which are in earth, even in Christ." — 
 Ephesians i. 10. 
 
 "In whom are hid all the treasures of wisedome and 
 knowledge." — Colossians ii. 3. 
 
 " Christ is all, and in all things." — Colossians iii. 11. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 199 
 
 Sonnet yyyi. 
 
 The lack of meekness (likeness to Christ) causes estrangement— 
 this obliges to prayer, and then he discovers how constant is his 
 Lord's love— all His servant's love is derived from Him— all that is 
 worthy is due to Him, and to Him only." 
 
 ^HY bosom is endeared with all hearts, 
 
 Which I by lacking have supposed dead. 
 And there reigns love, and all love's loving parts, 
 And all those friends which I thought buried. 
 How many a holy and obsequious tear 
 Hath dear religious love stol'n from mine eye, 
 As interest of the dead, which now appear 
 But things remov'd, that hidden in thee lie ! 
 Thou art the grave where buried love doth live, 
 Hung with the trophies of my lovers gone. 
 Who all their parts of me to thee did give ; 
 That due of many now is thine alone. 
 Their images I loved, I view in thee 
 And thou (all they) hast all the all of me. 
 
20O 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 ^be ifountaine. 
 
 "Joseph dreamed another dreame and told it his 
 brethren, behold, the sunne and the moone and eleven 
 starres did reverence to mee. . . . 
 
 " Now when Joseph was come unto his brethren they 
 stript Joseph out of his coate, his particoloured coate . . . 
 and they took him and cast him into a pit. ... 
 
 "They . . . sold him unto the Ishmaelites for twenty 
 pieces of silver." — Genesis xxxvii. 9, 23, 24, 28. 
 
 "And the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a man 
 that prospered . . . and Joseph's master tooke him and 
 put him in prison but the Lord was with Joseph . . . and 
 gat him favour in the sight of the Master of the Prison." 
 — Genesis xxxix. 2, 20, 21. 
 
 [" They held his feete in the stockes, and he was layd 
 in yrons." — Psalme cv. 18.] 
 
 "Then sent Pharaoh and called Joseph and they 
 brought him hastily out of prison . . . moreover Pharaoh 
 said to Joseph, behold, I have set thee over all the land 
 of Kgypt . . . and all countreys came to Egypt to buy 
 come of Joseph." — Genesis xli. 14, 41, 44, 57. 
 
 " Then Joseph's brethren came and bowed their faces 
 to the ground before him." — Genesis xhi. 6. 
 
 " Unto you that feare my Name shal the sunne of 
 righteousnes arise, and health shall bee under his wings." 
 — Malachi iv. 2. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 Sonnet yyyiii» 
 
 He acknowledges that his drooping faith and distraction have no 
 excuse on God's behalf — he illustrates this in the quick changes in 
 nature, but his Lord is ever gracious. 
 
 jjIpULL many a glorious morning have I seen 
 Flatter the mountain tops with sovereign eye, 
 Kissing with golden face the meadows green, 
 Gilding pale streams with heavenly alchymy ; 
 Anon permit the basest clouds to ride 
 With ugly rack on his celestial face. 
 And from the forlorn world his visage hide, 
 Stealing, unseen, to West with this disgrace : 
 Even so my sun one early morn did shine, 
 With all triumphant splendour on my brow, 
 But, out, alack ! he was but one hour mine, 
 The region cloud hath mask'd him from me now : 
 Yet, him for this, my love, no whit disdaineth ; 
 Suns of the world may stain when heaven's sun 
 staineth. 
 
^be 3fountainc. 
 
 " Hide not thy face from me in the time of my 
 trouble." — Psalnu cii. 2. 
 
 " A covering shal be for a shadow in the day for the 
 heate and a place of refuge and a covert for the storme 
 and for the raine." — Isaiah iv. 6. 
 
 "And when neither sunne nor starres in many dayes 
 appeared, and no small tempest lay upon us all hope 
 that wee should be saved was then taken away." — 
 Acts xxvii. 20. 
 
 " What praise is it, if, when yee bee buffeted for your 
 faults ye take it patiently; but and if when ye doe well 
 ye suffer wrong and take it patiently, this is acceptable to 
 God, for hereunto are ye called : for Christ also suffered 
 for us, leaving us an ensample that ye should follow his 
 steps; who did no sinne ... by whose stripes ye were 
 healed." — i Peter ii. 20-24. 
 
 "Who was delivered to death for our sinnes." — 
 Romans iv. 25. 
 
 " In the dayes of his flesh (he) did offer up prayers 
 and supplications with strong crying and teares unto 
 him that was able to save him from death, and was also 
 heard in that which he feared and though hee were the 
 Sonne, yet learned he obedience by the things which 
 he suffered, and being consecrate was made the authour 
 of eternall salvation unto all them that obey him." — 
 Hebrews v. 7-9. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 203 
 
 Sonnet yyyiv. 
 
 He is overtaken by disaster through his own incaution and unwatch- 
 iiilness : he is out of humour with himself and is ashamed ; he must 
 hide his head in the bosom of his offended Lord ; there he finds 
 shelter, and all is well. 
 
 «^HY didst thou promise such a beauteous day, 
 And make me travel forth without my cloak. 
 To let base clouds o'ertake me in my way, 
 Hiding thy bravery in their rotten smoke ? 
 'T is not enough that through the cloud thou break 
 To dry the rain on my storm-beaten face ; 
 For no man well of such a salve can speak 
 That heals the wound and cures not the disgrace, 
 Nor can thy shame give physic to my grief; 
 Though thou repent, yet I have still the loss ; 
 Th' offender's sorrow lends but weak relief 
 To him that bears the strong offence's cross. 
 
 Ah ! but those tears are pearl which thy love sheds. 
 And they are rich, and ransom all ill deeds. 
 
204 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 Z\iz ifountaine. 
 
 " For thou sayest I am rich and increased with goods, 
 and have neede of nothing and knowest not how thou 
 art wretched and miserable and poore and blinde and 
 naked ; I counsell thee to buy of me gold tried by the 
 fire that thou mayest bee made rich." — Revelation iii. 17. 
 
 " Let the brother of low degree rejoyce in that he is 
 exalted, againe hee that is rich, in that hee is made 
 lowe."— ^/awzM i. 9. 10. 
 
 "Who knoweth what is good for man in the life and 
 in the number of the dayes of the life of his vanitie." — 
 Ecdesiastes vii. 2. 
 
 " Under his shadow had I delite and sate downe." — 
 Song ii. 3. 
 
 " They that know thy name will trust in thee, for thou, 
 Lord, hast not failed them that seeke thee." — Psalme 
 ix. 10. 
 
 " Let the weake say, I am strong."— /oel iii. 10. 
 
 " He said unto me my grace is sufficient for thee for 
 my power is made perfect through weakenes." — 2 Cor. 
 xii. 9. 
 
 " I am able to doe all things through the helpe of 
 Christ which strengtheneth mee." — Philippians iv. 13. 
 
 "Without mee can ye doe nothing."— /<?A« xv. 5. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 205 
 
 Sonnet yyyvii. 
 
 He abandons every dependence on himself — he is without strength — 
 he has surrendered to Christ — in Him he finds everything he could 
 have desired and had not. 
 
 How earthly friends henceforth regard him he is indifferent to — all 
 things are his in Christ — he is profoundly happy. 
 
 ^ S a decrepit father takes delight 
 
 To see his active child do deeds of youth, 
 So I, made lame by fortune's dearest spite, 
 Take all my comfort of thy worth and truth ; 
 For whether beauty, birth, or wealth or wit. 
 Or any of these all, or all, or more 
 Entitled in thy parts do crowned sit, 
 I make my love engrafted to this store : 
 So then I am not lame, poor, nor despis'd, 
 WTiile that this shadow doth such substance give 
 That I in thy abundance am suffic'd. 
 And by a part of all thy glory live. 
 
 Look what is best, that best I wish in thee 
 This wish I have ; then, ten times happy me ! 
 
206 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 ZCbc ifountainc. 
 
 " Surely the Lord shall comfort Zion ... joy and 
 gladnesse shall be found therein ; prayse and the voyce 
 of singing." — Isaiah li. pt. 3. 
 
 " The dead shall heare the voyce of the sonne of God, 
 and they that heare it shall live."— /o/in v. 25. 
 
 " Let not your heart be troubled : yee beleeve in God, 
 beleeve also in me. In my Father's house are many 
 dwelling-places : if it were not so I would have told 
 you : I go to prepare a place for you."— yi^^w xiv. i, 2. 
 
 " Ye have not chosen me but I have chosen you . . . 
 these things command I you, that ye love one another." 
 —John XV. pt. 16, 17. 
 
 " Sanctifie them with thy trueth. Thy word is trueth. 
 .... I pray not for these alone but for them also which 
 shall beleeve in me through their ■<iior^."—John xvii. 
 17-20. 
 
 "Ye are complete in him." — Colossians ii. 10. 
 
 "And being consecrate was made the authour of 
 etemall salvation unto all them that obey him."— 
 Hebrews v. 9. 
 
Sonnet yyyviiu 
 
 He points to his Lord's address in John's gospel, chaps, xiv. xv. 
 all praise be to Him — if in these "curious days" anything here spoken 
 pleases the firivolous he laments it, if by any means it should fall short 
 of its higher purpose. 
 
 SmOW can my muse want subject to invent 
 * While thou dost breathe, that pour'st into my verse 
 
 Thine own sweet argument, too excellent 
 
 For every vulgar paper to rehearse ? 
 
 O give Thyself the thanks, if aught in me 
 
 Worthy perusal stand against thy sight. 
 
 For who 's so dumb that cannot write to thee 
 
 When thou thyself dost give invention, light ? 
 
 Be thou the tenth muse, ten times more in worth 
 
 Than those old Nine which rhymers invocate ; 
 
 And he that calls on thee, let him bring forth 
 
 Eternal numbers to outlive long date. 
 
 If my slight muse do please these curious days, 
 The pain be mine, but thine shall b& the praise. 
 
2o8 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 ^be 3fountaine. 
 
 " He that offereth praise shall glorifie mee." — Psalme 
 1. 23. 
 
 " Who can expresse the noble acts of the Lord or show 
 forth all his praise ? " — Psalme cvi. 2. 
 
 "They did not confesse him . . for they loved the 
 praise of men more than the praise of God." — -John xii. 
 42, 43- 
 
 " The light of the body is the eye therefore when thine 
 eye is single then is thy whole body light." — Luke xi. 34. 
 
 "We are . . . cast downe but we perish not." — 
 2 Corinthians iv. 9. 
 
 " For therefore we sigh, desiring to be clothed with our 
 house which is from heaven." — 2 Corinthians v. 2. 
 
 "The flesh lusteth against the spirit and the spirit 
 against the flesh and these are contrary one to the 
 other." — Galatians v. 17. 
 
 " For I am greatly in doubt on both sides desiring to 
 be loosed and to bee with Christ which is best of all." — 
 Philippians i. 23. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 2og 
 
 Sonnet yyyiy. 
 
 He cannot sing as he would do of his heavenly lover unless he 
 separates himself in nature from himself in grace— absent from the 
 body he is present with the Lord. Nature may complain of the 
 absence, but grace rejoices in a sweeter communion. 
 
 S| ! HOW thy worth with manners may I sing 
 When thou art all the better part of me ? 
 What can mine own praise to mine own self bring ? 
 And what is 't but mine own when I praise thee ? 
 Even for this let us divided live, 
 And our dear love lose name of single one, 
 That by this separation I may give 
 That due to thee which thou deserv'st alone. 
 O absence ! what a torment would'st thou prove 
 Were it not thy sour leisure gave sweet leave 
 To entertain the time with thoughts of love 
 Which time and thoughts so sweetly dost deceive. 
 And that thou teachest how to make one twain 
 By praising him here, who doth hence remain. 
 
 14 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 TTbe ifountaine. 
 
 " I sleepe but mine heart waketh." — Song v. 2. 
 
 "God speaketh once, or twice, and one seeth it not. 
 In dreames and visions of the night, when sleepe falleth 
 upon men, and they sleepe upon their beds, then hee 
 openeth the eares of men even by their corrections which 
 hee had sealed."— yo3 xxxiii. 14-16. 
 
 " Now we see thorow a glasse darkly but then shall 
 we see face to face. Now I know in part, but then shal I 
 know even as I am knowen'' {taught of God). — i Cor. 
 xiii. 12. 
 
 " Jesus . . . sayd unto them go your wayes and shew 
 John what things ye have seene and heard: that the 
 blind see, the halt goe, the lepers are cleansed, the deafe 
 heare, the dead rise againe and the poore receive the 
 Gospel." — Luke vii. 22. 
 
 " One thing I know that I was blinde and now I see." 
 —John ix. 25. 
 
 " We know that when he shall appeare we shal be like 
 him ; for we shal see him as he is." — i John iii. 2. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 Sonnet yliii. 
 
 He meditates on spiritual blindness^at the very shadow of Christ 
 earthly shadows flee away ; but when He reveals Himself in secret there 
 is no darkness at all — no night, and yet he anticipates and longs for 
 the brightness when he shall "see Him as He is." 
 
 feHEN most I wink, then do mine eyes best see, 
 For all the day they view things unrespected ; 
 But when I sleep, in dreams, they look on thee. 
 And darkly bright are bright in dark directed ; 
 Then thou whose shadow shadows doth make bright, 
 How would thy shadow's form, form happy show 
 To the clear day with thy much clearer light, 
 When to unseeing eyes thy shade shines so ? 
 How would, I say, mine eyes be blessed made 
 By looking on thee in the living day. 
 When in dead night thy fair imperfect shade 
 Through heavy sleep on sightless eyes doth stay ? 
 All days are nights to see till I see thee, 
 And nights bright days, when dreams do show thee 
 me. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 XTbe Jfountaine. 
 
 " What is it that hath been : that that shal be ; and what 
 is it that hath been done : that which shal be done ; 
 and there is no new thing under the sunne." — Ecclesiastes 
 i. 9. 
 
 "All the Athenians and strangers which dwele there 
 (Athens) gave themselves to nothing els but either to tell 
 or to heare some n.t^nt%!^-^Acts xvii. 21. 
 
 "Thou also hast made us able ministers of the new 
 testament." — 2 Corinthians iii. 6. 
 
 " My well beloved is white and ruddie, the chiefest 
 of ten thousand : his head is as fine gold, his locks 
 curled and blacke as a raven : his eyes are like doves 
 upon the rivers of waters." — Song v. 10-12. 
 
 " I lift up mine eyes and looked and behold there was 
 a man clothed in linnen whose loynes were girded with 
 fine gold of Uphaz. His body also was like the 
 chrysolite, and his face (to looke upon) like the lightning, 
 and his eyes as lampes of fire, and his armes and his 
 feete were like in colour to polished brasse, and the 
 voyce of his words was like the voyce of a multitude." 
 — Daniel x. 5, 6. 
 
 "The Lord God is my strength and song." — Isaiah 
 xii. 2. 
 
SBAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 213 
 
 Sonnet Iiy« 
 
 In our Poet's day, as in this, something new was ever in request, 
 and he was importuned for it. 
 
 He would draw his divine Master's true image if he could penetrate 
 so deep a mystery or gather his lines from those old patriarchs who 
 communed with Him as friend converses with friend. The most learned 
 philosophers of the past gave their wits to less exalted subjects. 
 
 F there be nothing new, but that which is 
 Hath been before, how are our brains beguil'd, 
 Which, labouring for invention, bear amiss 
 The second burden of a former child ? 
 O ! that record could with a backward look. 
 Even of five hundred courses of the sun, 
 Show me your image in some antique book, 
 Since mind at first in character was done ; 
 That I might see what the old world could say 
 To this composed wonder of your frame ; 
 Whether we are mended, or, where, better, they, 
 Or whether revolution be the same. 
 O ! sure I am the wits of former days 
 To subjects worse have given admiring praise. 
 
214 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 ttbc ifountaine. 
 
 " I will come suddenly upon thee and consume thee 
 . . .' now therefore put thy costly rayment from thee, 
 that I may know what to doe unto thee. So the children 
 of Israel layde their good rayment from them." — Exodus 
 xxxiii. 5, 6, 
 
 "When thou with rebukes dost chastise man for 
 iniquitie, thou as a moth makest his beautie to consume." 
 — Psalnie xxxix. ii, (xlix. 14). 
 
 " Thou hast made all my congregation (family) desolate ; 
 and hast made me full of wrinckles . . . my face is 
 withered with weeping and the shadow of Death is 
 upon mine eyes . . . the yeeres accounted come, and I 
 shall goe the way whence I shall not returne."— yi?/^ xvi. 
 7, 8, 16, 22. 
 
 '; Know that I, the Lord have brought downe the hye 
 tree and exalted the low tree : that I have dryed up the 
 greene tree and made the drie tree to flourish." — Ezekiel 
 xvii. 24. 
 
 " Man is sicke, and dieth, and man perisheth, and 
 where is he .' "^Job xiv. 10. 
 
 " My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle."— y^^ 
 vii. 6. 
 
 "I;die dayly." — i Corzjithians xv. 31. 
 
K 
 
 JK 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 215 
 
 Sonnet ly. 
 
 While the heart is beating, life is fleeting : — time — moments, periods, 
 infancy, manhood, decrepitude — life given, taken, not destroyed. The 
 Poet's verse shall stand; which is to his Lord's praise whose "name 
 is praised from the rising of the sunne, unto the going downe of the 
 same." 
 
 j|® IKE as the waves make toward the pebbled shore, 
 ""' So do our minutes hasten to their end ; 
 Each changing place with that which goes before, 
 In sequent toil, all forwards do contend. 
 Nativity once in the main of light 
 Crawls to maturity, wherewith being crown'd 
 Crooked eclipses 'gainst his glory fight 
 And time that gave doth now his gift confound. 
 Time doth transfix the flourish set on youth 
 And delves the parallels in beauty's brow ; 
 Feeds on the rarities of nature's truth. 
 And nothing stands but for his scythe to mow : 
 And yet to times in hope my verse shall stand. 
 Praising thy worth, despite his cruel hand. 
 
2l6 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 tTbe fountaine. 
 
 "The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man that they 
 are vanitie." — Psalme xciv. ii. 
 
 " Seest thou a man wise in his owne conceit, more 
 hope is of a foole then of him." — Proverbs xxvi. 12. 
 
 " Doubtlesse man walketh in a shadow and disquieteth 
 himselfe in vaine." — Psalme xxxix. 6. 
 
 " Let no man deceive himselfe, if any man among you 
 seeme to bee wise in this world, let him bee a foole that 
 . hee may be wise." — i Corinthians iii. 18. 
 
 " In all Israel there was none to be so much praised 
 for beautie as Absalom." — 2 Samuel xiv. 25. 
 
 "And they tooke Absalom and cast him into a great 
 pit in the wood." — 2 Samuel xvii,i. 17. 
 
 "They that wait upon lying vanities forsake their 
 owne mercy." — Jonah ii. 8. 
 
 " We grope for the wall like the blind and we grope as 
 one without eyes." — Isaiah lix. 10. 
 
 "Unto many blind men hee (Jesus) gave sight." — 
 Luke vii. 21. 
 
 " O my God I am confounded and ashamed to lift up 
 mine eyes unto thee my God." — Ezra ix. 6. 
 
 "That the love wherewith thou hast loved mee may 
 bee in them and I in them."— yo^« xvii. pt. 26. 
 
 "Thy name was spread among the heathen for thy 
 beautie for, it was perfect through my beautie which I 
 had set upon thee, saith the Lord God." — Ezekiel xvi. 14. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 217 
 
 Sonnet lyii. 
 
 Viewing himself with admiration, as with a carnal eye, his pride — 
 self-love — is wrought upon ; but when the Gospel glass reveals his 
 imperfections, he magnifies his Redeemer, in whom alone now he sees 
 himself comely. 
 
 ^ IN of self-love possesseth all mine eye, 
 And all my soul, and all my every part. 
 And for this sin there is no remedy ; 
 It is so grounded inward in my heart. 
 Methinks no face so gracious is as mine, 
 No shape so true, no truth of such account ; 
 And for myself mine own worth do define. 
 As I all other in all worths surmount : 
 But when my glass shows me myself indeed, 
 Beated and chopped with tann'd antiquity. 
 Mine own self-love quite contrary I read ; 
 Self, so self-loving were iniquity. 
 
 'T is Thee (myself) that for myself I praise, 
 Painting my age with beauty of Thy days. 
 
2l8 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 ^bc ifountaine. 
 
 " I had no peace, neither had I quietnes, neither had 
 I rest, yet trouble is come."— Job iii. 26. 
 
 " Behold he will breake downe and it cannot be built 
 .... behold hee withholdeth the waiters and they drie 
 up, but when he sendeth them out they destroy the 
 earth." .... 
 
 " Hee increaseth the people and destroyeth them — he 
 enlargeth the nations and bringeth them in againe." — 
 Job xii. 14, 15, 23. 
 
 "Loe mine eye hath seene all this." — -Job xiii. i. 
 
 "Surely as the mountaine that falleth commeth to 
 nought .... so thou destroyest the hope of man."^ 
 Idem xiv. 18, 19. 
 
 " He hath cast me into the mire and I am become like 
 ashes and dust." — Idem xxx. 19. 
 
 "They were afraid for feare where no feare was." — 
 Psalme liii. S- 
 
 "But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping 
 and as she wept she bowed herselfe into the sepulchre 
 and saw two angels in white sitting the one at the head 
 and the other at the feet where the body of Jesus had 
 hen, and they said unto her, Woman, why weepest 
 thou? She said unto them they have taken away my 
 Lord, and I know not where they have layd him." — 
 John XX. 11-13. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 219 
 
 Sonnet lyiv. 
 
 He meditates — every material feature, whether of Nature or of Art, 
 changes, decays, or disappears — this tempts him to despondency — the 
 disciples ' forsook ' their Master, and ' fled.' The thought of 
 possibly losing altogether his joy in having " put on the breastplate 
 of feith and love," makes him weep. 
 
 W^HEN I have seen by Time's fell hand defaced 
 The rich proud cost of outworn buried age ; 
 When sometime lofty towers I see down-razed, 
 And brass eternal slave to mortal rage ; 
 When I have seen the hungry ocean gain 
 Advantage on the kingdom of the shore, 
 And the firm soil win of the watery main, 
 Increasing store with loss, and loss with store ; 
 When I have seen such interchange of state, 
 Or state itself confounded to decay. 
 Ruin hath taught me thus to ruminate — 
 That time will come and take my love away. 
 This thought is as a death, which cannot choose 
 But weep to have that which it fears to lose.* 
 
 * "The feare of trouble that should ensue caused my prosperitie 
 to seeme to me as nothing."— Margin, G.V.B. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 XTbe jfountaine. 
 
 " O Tyrus thou hast sayd, I am of perfit beautie . . . 
 thy borders are in the mids of the sea, and thy builders 
 have made thee of perfite beautie." — Ezekiel xxvii. 3, 4. 
 
 "Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, 
 thou hast corrupted thy wisedome by reason of thy 
 brightnesse ; I wil cast thee to the ground." — Ezekiel 
 xxviii. 17, 18. 
 
 "Man shal not continue in honour . . . their beautie 
 shall consume when they shall goe from their house to 
 grave." — Psalme xlix. 12-14. 
 
 " For all flesh is grasse and all the glory of man is as 
 the flower of grasse. The grasse withereth, and the 
 floure falleth away." — i Peter i. 24. 
 
 " In God is my salvation and my glory : the rocke of 
 my strength : in God is my trust." — Psalme Ixii. 7. 
 
 "They that waite upon the Lorde shall renew their 
 strength." — Isaiah xl. 31. 
 
 " They shall bee as the stones of the crowne lifted up 
 upon his land, for how great is his goodnesse ! and how 
 great is his beautie !" — Zechariah ix. 16, 17. 
 
 " The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us (and 
 wee sawe the glory thereof as the glory of the only 
 begotten Son of the Father) full of grace and trueth." — 
 Johji i. 14. 
 
 " Thine eyes shall see the King in his gloria." — Isaiah 
 xxxiii. 17. 
 
 " We know that when he shall appeare we shall be like 
 him." — I John iii. 2. 
 
shak:speare and the bible 
 
 Sonnet lyv. 
 
 Seeing that the strongest things yield to Time's incessant attacks, 
 how shall his feeble efforts resist so many potent adversaries — the 
 world, the flesh, and the devil ?— he will make his record of faith and 
 love in black (indelible) ink — 'this miracle has might' (by renewal). 
 
 g^ INCE brass, nor stone, nor earth, nor boundless sea. 
 But sad mortality o'ersways their power. 
 How with this rage shall beauty hold a plea, 
 Whose action is no stronger than a flower? 
 O ! how shall summer's honey-breath hold out 
 Against the wreckful siege of battering days. 
 When rocks impregnable are not so stout. 
 Nor gates of steel so strong, but time decays? 
 O fearful meditation ! where, alack. 
 Shall time's best jewel from time's chest he hid ? 
 Or what strong hand can hold his swift foot back ? 
 Or who his spoil of beauty can forbid? 
 O none ! unless this miracle have might. 
 That in black ink my love may still shine bright. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 ^be ifountaine. 
 
 "Though thou clothest thyselfe with scarlet, though 
 thou deckest thee with ornaments of golde, though thou 
 paintest thy face with colours, yet shalt thou trimme 
 thyselfe in \^xa&." Jeremiah iv. 30 {Ezekiel xxiii. 40). 
 
 " It came to passe as Jesus sate at meate in his house, 
 beholde, many publicanes and sinners that came thither, 
 sate downe at the table with Jesus and his disciples." — 
 Matthew ix. 10(11, 12.). 
 
 " There is none like thee, O Lord."— Psaime Ixxxvi. 8. 
 
 "How great is his goodnesse ! and how great is his 
 beautie!" — Zechariah ix. 17. 
 
 "For in him dwelleth all the fulnes of the godhead, 
 bodily." — Colossians ii. 9. 
 
 " His face did shine as the sunne, and his clothes were 
 as white as the Xx^X."— Matthew xvii. 2 {Luke ix. 29). 
 
 " His face shone as the sunne shineth in his strength." 
 — Revelation i. 16. 
 
 " At midday, O King, I saw in the way a light from 
 heaven passing the brightnesse of the sunne shine round 
 about me .... then said I, who art thou Lord, and he 
 said I am Jesus."— ^rf^ xxvi. 13, 15. 
 
 "Who being the brightnesse of the glorie and the 
 ingraved forme of his person and bearing up all things 
 by his mightie word, hath by himselfe purged our sinnes." 
 — Hebrews i. 3. 
 
n^ 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 223 
 
 Sonnet lyvii. 
 
 He is astonished at his Lord's condescension in taking our nature 
 — ^he calls to mind the testimony of His enemies — " He receiveth 
 sinners, and eateth with them " — there is an appearance of advantage 
 to sin : He is misrepresented in pictures, for how can erring mortality 
 see and pourtray His heavenly fece and beauteous character? He 
 contrasts the false in fallen man with ' The Truth' as it is in Him. 
 Nature's whole wealth is but a dispersed reflection of Him. 
 
 ^ H ! wherefore with infection should he Hve, 
 -^ And with his presence grace impiety, 
 That sin by him advantage should achieve, 
 And lace itself with his society ? 
 VVhy should false painting imitate his cheek. 
 And steal dead seeing of his living hue ? 
 Why should poor beauty indirectly seek 
 Roses of shadow, since his rose is true ? 
 Why should he live, now nature bankrupt is 
 Beggar'd of blood to blush through lively veins ? 
 For she hath no exchequer now but his, 
 And proud of many, lives upon his gains. 
 
 O, him she stores, to show what wealth she had 
 In days long since, before these last, so bad ! 
 
224 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 ^bc fountatne. 
 
 " I am thy part and thine inheritance." — Numbers 
 xviii. 20. 
 
 " The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of 
 my cup . . . yea, I have a faire heritage." — Psalme 
 xvi. 5, 6. 
 
 " The Lord is my strength and my shield : mine heart 
 trusted in him and I was helped, therefore mine heart 
 shall rejoyce and with my song will I praise him." — 
 Psalme xxviii. 7. 
 
 " Seven times a day doe I praise thee because of thy 
 righteous judgements." — Psalme cxix. 164. 
 
 " I will blesse thee dayly and praise thy Name for 
 ever and ever." — Psalme cxlv. 2 {et seg.). 
 
 " I will rejoyce in the Lord, I wil joy in the God of 
 my salvation." — Habakkuk iii. 18. 
 
 "Emmanuel — which is, by interpretation, God with 
 us." — Matthew i. 23. 
 
 " Shew forth the vertues of him that hath called you 
 out of darknesse into his marvellous Ught." — i Peter ii. 9. 
 
 " Hark, said Mr. Great Heart, to what the shepherd's 
 boy saith . . he that is humble ever shall have God 
 to be his guide. ... I will dare to say this boy lives 
 a merrier life and wears more of that herb called Hearts- 
 ease in his bosom than he that is clad in silk and 
 velvet." — BUNYAN, Pilgrim's Progress. 
 
x^ 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 225 
 
 Sonnet lyyvi. 
 
 He justifies the sameness of his muse, rejoicing that it cannot vary : 
 he has found ease of heart in Christ: the "noted weed," 'heartsease,'* 
 "almost spells" his own name (it almost spells his dear Master's name). 
 It is the emblem of 'thought,' and this inventive faculty serves him to 
 express his gratitude constantly in song. 
 
 J?HY is my verse so barren of new pride, 
 •^ So far from variation or quick change ? 
 Why, with the time, do I not glance aside 
 To new-found methods and to compounds strange ? 
 Why write I still all one, ever the same, 
 And keep invention in a noted weed. 
 
 That every word doth almost < i] f ""^y na™e, 
 
 Showing their birth, and where they did proceed ? 
 
 O know, sweet Love, I always write of you. 
 
 And you and love are still my argument ; 
 
 So all my best is dressing old words new. 
 
 Spending again what is already spent : 
 For as the sun is daily new and old. 
 So is my love still telling what is told. 
 
 * Doubtless the "noted weed" is * heartsease,' which "almost spells" Shakespeare 
 — K, P, only occupying the place of T. 
 
 t The word 'tell' is an emendation, so called, of Malone, to correct 'fel' (1), as 
 found in the edition of 1609. In all probability this was 'sel,' but intended for spel, 
 the * p* having dropped out, and not been replaced — no unusual oversight. 
 
 IS 
 
226 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 TTbe jfountainc. 
 
 " Our dayes are like the shadow upon the earth, and 
 there is none abiding." — i Chronicles xxix. 15. 
 
 " For we are but of yesterday, and are ignorant : for 
 our dayes upon earth are but a shadow." — -Job viii. 9. 
 
 " O God thou . . . hast made mee full of wrinkles 
 which is a witnesse thereof, and my leannesse riseth up 
 in mee testifying the same in my face."— ;/<?3 xvi. 7, 8. 
 
 "Blessed is he that hath the God of Jacob for his 
 helpe whose hope is in the Lord his God." — Psalme 
 cxlvi. 5. 
 
 " Take heed : watch and pray for yee know not when 
 the time is." — Mark xiii. 33. 
 
 " Now therefore thus sayth the Lord of hostes ; Con- 
 sider your owne wayes in your hearts. Yee have sowen 
 much and bring in little, yee eat, but ye have not enough : 
 yee drinke but yee are not filled : yee clothe you, but 
 yee be not warme : and he that eameth wages, putteth 
 the wages into a broken bag." — Haggai i. 5, 6. 
 
 "The invisible things of him, that is, his etemall 
 power and Godhead are seene by the creation of the 
 world, being considered in his workes to the intent that 
 they should be without excuse." — Romans i. 20. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 227 
 
 Sonnet lyyvii. 
 
 Time's ravages only serve to direct the eye in search of treasure 
 in heaven and pleasures there " for ever more." Recent departures 
 are warning voices. There are "blanks" in our career which may 
 be profitably filled up with meditation and prayer. 
 
 K^HY glass will show thee how thy beauties wear, 
 -^ Thy dial how thy precious minutes waste ; 
 The vacant leaves thy mind's imprint will bear, 
 And of this book this learning may'st thou taste : 
 The wrinkles which thy glass will truly show, 
 Of mouthed graves will give thee memory ; 
 Thou by thy dial's shady stealth may'st know 
 Time's thievish progress to eternity. 
 Look, what thy memory cannot contain, 
 Commit to these waste blanks,* and thou shalt find 
 Those children nurs'd, deliver'd from thy brain, 
 To take a new acquaintance of thy mind. 
 These offices, so oft as thou wilt look. 
 Shall profit thee, and much enrich thy book. 
 
22S 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 ^be jfountaine. 
 
 "What hast thou that thou hast not received?" — 
 I Corinthians iv. 7. 
 
 "All things come of thee, and of thine otvne hand we 
 have given thee : For we are strangers before thee and 
 sojourners lite all our Fathers." — i Chronicles xxix. 14, 15. 
 
 "Whom have I in heaven but thee? and I have 
 desired none in the earth with thee. My flesh faileth, 
 and mine heart also : but God is the strength of mine 
 heart and my portion for ever." — Psalme Ixxiii. 25. 
 
 " Returne unto thy rest O my soule : for the Lord hath 
 bene beneficiall unto thee. Because thou hast delivered 
 my soule from death, mine eyes from teares and my feete 
 from falling." — Psalme cxvi. 7, 8. 
 
 "Abide in mee and I in you : as the branch cannot 
 beare fruit of itselfe, except it abide in the vine ; no 
 more can yee, except ye abide ia me. 
 
 " I am the vine ye are the branches ; he that abideth 
 in me and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit, 
 for without mee can ye doe nothing."— yi^^w xv. 4, 5. 
 
SHAKSPEAKE AND THE BIBLE 229 
 
 Sonnet lyyiy. 
 
 All that he has in possession, worthy to remain, is what he has 
 received. He can give nothing which Christ has not already given to 
 him : to pay any debt, he must borrow of his great creditor. 
 
 ^HILST I alone did call upon thy aid, 
 
 My verse alone had all thy gentle grace ; 
 But now my gracious numbers are decay'd, 
 And my sick muse doth give another place. 
 I grant, sweet Love, thy lovely argument 
 Deserves the travail of a worthier pen ; 
 Yet what of thee thy poet doth invent, 
 He robs thee of, and pays it thee again : 
 He lends thee virtue, and he stole that word 
 From thy behaviour ; beauty doth he give, 
 And found it in thy cheek ; he can afford 
 No praise to thee but what in thee doth live. 
 Then, thank him not for that which he doth say, 
 Since what he owes thee thou thyself dost pay. 
 
^be jfountaine. 
 
 " He spake also a parable unto them to this ende, 
 that they ought alwayes to pray and not to ware faint." — 
 Luke xviii. i. 
 
 " Heare my wordes O Lord . . . hearken unto the 
 voyce of my crie, my King and my God, for unto thee 
 doe I pray ... in the morning O Lord, for in the morning 
 will I direct mee unto thee and I will waite." — Psalme 
 V. I, 2, 3. 
 
 " Praise ye the Lord with me and let us magnifie his 
 name together." — Psalme xxxiv. 3. 
 
 " Sing prayses unto the Lord yee his saints and give 
 thankes before the remembrance of his holinesse . . . 
 thou hast turned my mourning into joy : thou hast loosed 
 my sacke and girded me with gladnesse. Therefore 
 shal my tongue praise thee, and not cease : O Lord my 
 God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever." — Psalme 
 XXX. 4-1 1, 12. 
 
 " His name onely is to bee exalted, and his praise 
 above the earth and the heavens." — Psalme cxlviii. 13. 
 
 " If thou pardon their sinne, thy mercie shall appeare ; 
 but if thou wilt not, I pray thee rase mee out of thy 
 booke which thou hast written. Then the Lord said . . . 
 whosoever hath sinned against mee, I will put him out of 
 my booke." — Exodus xxxii. 33. 
 
 " I would wish myselfe to bee separated from Christ, 
 for my brethren, that are my kinsmen. Mine heart's 
 desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they might be 
 saved." — Romans ix. 3 : x. 1. 
 
 "Blessed be his glorious name for ever." — Psalme 
 Ixxii. 19. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 231 
 
 Sonnet lyyy. 
 
 He is weak — ^feinting, in the presence of David — that fevoured 
 minstrel — the inspired "sweet psalmist of Israel." Yet he will 
 expend himself, wholly — "an odour that smelleth sweete ; a, sacrifice 
 acceptable and pleasant to God." All the redeemed sail under one 
 baimer— ^the banner of love. Christ bears up all — "the winds and 
 the sea obey him." 
 
 §j! HOW I faint when I of you do write, 
 
 Knowing a better spirit doth use your name 
 And in the praise thereof spends all his might 
 To make me tongue-tied, speaking of your fame : 
 But since your worth (wide as the ocean is) 
 The humble, as the proudest sail, doth bear ' 
 My saucy bark, inferior far to his, 
 On your broad main doth wilfully appear. 
 Your shallowest help will hold me up afloat 
 While he upon your soundless deep doth ride ; 
 Or being wreck'd, I am a worthless boat, 
 He of tall building and of goodly pride : 
 Then if he thrive, and I be cast away. 
 The worst was this — my love was my decay. 
 
^be ifountaine. 
 
 "Whatsoever mine eyes desired, I withheld it not 
 from them : I withdrew not mine heart from any joy : 
 . . . Then I looked on all my workes that mine hands 
 had wrought and on the travaile that I had laboured to 
 doe, and beholde, all is vanitie." — Ecclesiastes ii. lo, li. 
 
 " (King) Hezekiah also had exceeding much riches 
 and honour . . . But because of the ambassadours of the 
 princes of Babel which sent unto him to enquire of the 
 wonder that was done in the land, God left him to trie 
 him." — 2 Chronicles xxxii. 27-31. 
 
 "Is not this great Babel, that I have built?" — Daniel 
 iv. 27. 
 
 " How is Babel become desolate among the nations .-' " 
 —Jeremiah 1. 23. 
 
 " Ye have said, it is in vaine to serve God and what 
 profit is it that we have kept his commaundement, and 
 that we walked humbly before the Lord of hosts ? there- 
 fore we count the proud blessed." — Malachi iii. 14, 15. 
 
 " Doubtlesse I thinke all things but losse for the 
 excellent knowledge sake of Christ Jesus my Lord." — 
 Philippians iii. 8. 
 
 " If any man love the world, the love of the Father is 
 not in him." — i John ii. 15. 
 
 " Feare not little flocke ; for it is your Father's pleasure 
 to give you the kingdome." — Luke xii. 32. 
 
 " Thou hast caste all my sinnes behinde thy backe.'' — 
 Isaiah xxxviii. 17. 
 
 " I am thy buckler and thine exceeding great reward." 
 — Genesis xv. I. 
 
„» 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 233 
 
 Sonnet yci. 
 
 He observes — he meditates on the profitless aims of this world's 
 votaries. Their enjoyments, although envied, or even coveted by 
 many who have them not, are as nothing in comparison with the 
 riches that are in Christ, and yet he is at times apprehensive of losing 
 them through his inconsistencies when in mixed society. 
 
 ^OME glory in their birth, some in their skill, 
 Some in their wealth, some in their body's force ; 
 
 Some in their garments, though new-fangled ill ; 
 
 Some in their hawks and hounds, some in their horse ; 
 
 And every humour hath his adjunct pleasure, 
 
 Wherein it finds a joy above the rest ; 
 
 But these particulars are not my measure : 
 
 All these I better in one general best. 
 
 Thy love is better than high birth to me. 
 
 Richer than wealth, prouder than garments' cost. 
 
 Of more delight than hawks or horses be ; 
 
 And having thee, of all men's pride I boast. 
 Wretched in this alone, that thou may'st take 
 All this away, and me most wretched make. 
 
234 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 Xtbe ifountainc. 
 
 "The eye is not satisfied with seeing nor the eare 
 filled with hearing." — Ecclesiastes i. i. 
 
 "The heavens declare the glory of God and the 
 firmament shewed the worke of his hands. 
 
 " The Law of the Lord is perfect converting the soule, 
 the testimony of the Lord is sure and giveth wisdome 
 unto the simple." — Psalme xix. i, 7. 
 
 " Thus I live, yet, not I now, but Christ liveth in me : 
 and in (that) that I now live in the flesh, I live by the 
 faith in the Sonne of God who hath loved me, and given 
 himselfe for me." — Galatians ii. 20. 
 
 "Christ is all and in all." — Colossians iii. 11. 
 
 "This is my well-beloved, and this is my lover, O 
 daughters of Jerusalem." — Song v. 16. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 235 
 
 Sonnet ycviii. 
 
 His youthiiil days were spent indifTerent to the just claims of his 
 divine Master — he saw not the beauty of Him in them, as he might 
 well have done, for all the wonders of creation were then before him. 
 He confesses his feult — they were true interpreters of God and of 
 himself — this depresses him. 
 
 [p'ROM you have I been absent in the spring, 
 
 When proud-pied April, dress'd in all his trim. 
 Hath put a spirit of youth in every thing, 
 That heavy Saturn laugh'd and leap'd with him ; 
 Yet nor the lays of birds, nor the sweet smell 
 Of different flowers in odour and in hue. 
 Could make me any summer's story tell. 
 Or from their proud lap pluck them where they grew; 
 Nor did I wonder at the lily's white. 
 Nor praise the deep vermilion in the rose ; 
 They were but sweet, but figures of delight 
 Drawn after you, you pattern of all those. 
 Yet seem'd it winter still, and you away, 
 As with your shadow I with these did play. 
 
. ^K 
 
 236 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 ttbe fountaine. 
 
 " By him were all things created which are in heaven, 
 and which are in earth, things visible and invisible, 
 whetlier they be Thrones or Dominions, or Principalities 
 or PoH'ers, all things were created by him, and for him, 
 and he is before aU things, and in him all things consist." 
 Colossians i. 16, 17. 
 
 " Because of the savour of thy good oyntments thy 
 name is as an oyntment powred out." — Song i. 2. 
 
 " I Am the Rose of the field, and the liUe of the 
 valleyes."^5o«g- ii. i. 
 
 '• His cheeks are as a bed of spices and as sweet 
 flowers, and his lips like lilies dropping downe pure 
 myrrhe." — Song v. 13. 
 
 " I in them and thou in mee that they may be made 
 perfect in o-a&P^John xvii. 23. 
 
 "Thou art worthy O Lord to receive glory and 
 honour and power ; for thou hast created all things and 
 for thy only sake they are and have bene created." — 
 Revelation iv. 11. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 237 
 
 Sonnet yciy. 
 
 He sees with new eyes — every beautiful and delightful object is a 
 despoiler of his one treasure. 
 
 He chides these earthly fascinators for detaining him, and tells them 
 that all their charms are derived from their Creator. 
 
 K^HE forward violet thus did I chide : 
 
 ^ Sweet thief, whence did thou steal thy sweet that 
 
 smells, 
 If not from my Love's breath ? the purple pride 
 Which on thy soft cheek for complexion dwells 
 In my Love's veins, thou hast too grossly dyed. 
 The lily I condemned for thy hand. 
 And buds of marjoram had stolen thy hair : 
 The roses fearfully on thorns did stand, 
 One blushing shame, another white despair ; 
 A third, nor red nor white, had stolen of both, 
 And to this robbery had annex'd thy breath ; 
 But for his theft, in pride of all his growth 
 A vengeful canker eat him up to death. 
 More flowers I noted, yet I none could see 
 But sweet or colour it had stolen from thee. 
 
238 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 ^be ifountaine. 
 
 " I love the Lord because he hath heard my voyce and 
 my prayers." — Psalme cxvi. i. 
 
 "O my God, and King, I will extoll thee and will 
 blesse thy Name for ever and ever. 
 
 " I will meditate of the beauty of thy glorious 
 Majestie, and thy wonderful! works." — Psalme cxlv. 
 i-S- 
 
 " Redeeming the time : for the dayes are evill. 
 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understand what the 
 will of the Lord is." — Ephesians v. i6, 17. 
 
 " Considering what hath bene the end of their con- 
 versation : Jesus Christ, yesterday and to-day, the same 
 also is for ever." — Hebrews xiii. 7, 8. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 239 
 
 Sonnet c. 
 
 To Christ the Poet gives his Muse, with all his might : he reproaches 
 his Muse with un&ithfulness, and then encourages her to exalt her 
 subject. 
 
 t/:HERE art thou, Muse, that thou forget'st so long 
 To speak of that which gives thee all thy might? 
 Spend'st thou thy fury on some worthless song, 
 Darkening thy power to lend base subjects light ? 
 Return, forgetful Muse, and straight redeem, 
 In gentle numbers, time so idly spent ; 
 Sing to the ear that doth thy lays esteem, 
 And gives thy pen both skill and argument. 
 Rise, resty Muse, my Love's sweet face survey, 
 If time have any wrinkle graven there ; 
 If any, be a satire to decay, 
 And make Time's spoils despised everywhere. 
 
 Give my Love fame faster than time wastes life ; 
 
 So thou prevent'st his scythe and crooked knife. 
 
240 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 ^be ifountaine. 
 
 '• Sing yee unto the Lord : for he hath triumphed 
 gloriously." — Exodus xv. 21. 
 
 " Mine heart is prepared, O God, mine heart is 
 prepared, I wil sing and give praise." — Psalme Ivii. 7. 
 
 " Make thy face to shine upon thy servant." — Psalme 
 xxxi. 16. 
 
 " I will sing unto the Lord all my life : I will praise 
 my God while I live. Let my words bee acceptable unto 
 him : I will rejoyce in the Lord." — Psalme civ. 33, 34. 
 
 '■ I shall remaine a long season in the house of ye 
 Lord." — Psalme xxiii. pt. 6. 
 
 "As it is written, for this cause I will confesse thee 
 among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name : and againe 
 he saieth, rejoyce ye Gentiles, with his people : and 
 againe, prayse the Lord all yee Gentiles, and laude yee 
 him all people together." — Romans xv. 9, 10, 11. 
 
 " 1 lay downe my life, that I might take it againe. 
 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it downe of 
 myselfe: I have power to lay it downe and have power 
 to take it againe." — John x. 17, 18. 
 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 241 
 
 Sonnet ci. 
 
 He instructs his Muse, pointing out what a transcendent subject 
 hers is, but argues that praise and again praise should be endeavoured, 
 however inadequate. 
 
 3®^ TRUANT Muse ! what shall be thy amends 
 For thy neglect of truth in beauty dyed ? 
 
 Both truth and beauty on my love depends ; 
 
 So dost thou too, and therein dignified. 
 
 Make answer, Muse : wilt thou not haply say, 
 
 " Truth needs no colour, with his colour fix'd ; 
 
 Beauty no pencil, beauty's truth to lay ; 
 
 But best is best, if never intermix'd." 
 
 Because he needs no praise, wilt thou be dumb ? 
 
 Excuse not silence so ; for 't lies in thee 
 
 To make him much outlive a gilded tomb, 
 
 And to be prais'd of Ages yet to be.* 
 
 Then do thy office, Muse : I teach thee how 
 To make him seem long hence as he shows now. 
 
 * " He (David) setteth not his felicity in the pleasures of this world, 
 but in the feare and service of God." Margin of Genevan Bible. 
 How truly yet unconsciously our poet echoes the royal Psalmist. 
 
 16 
 
242 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 ^bc jfountaine. 
 
 " My lips shall speake praise, when thou hast taught 
 me thy statutes. My tongue shall intreate of thy Word." 
 — Psalme cxix. 171, 172. 
 
 " I will greatly rejoyce in the Lorde, and my soule 
 shall be joyfuU in my God." — Isaiah Ixi. 10. 
 
 " I will praise the Lord with my whole heart."— 
 Psalme ix. i. 
 
 " In rest and quietnesse shall ye be saved ; in quiet- 
 nesse and in confidence shal be your strength." — Isaiah 
 
 XXX. IJ. 
 
 " A meek and quiet spirit, which is before God a thing 
 much set by." — r Peter iii. 4. 
 
 " Of whom (Christ) wee have many things to say 
 which are hard to be wXXsx&A"— Hebrews v. 11. 
 
 " The words of the wise are more heard in quietnesse 
 then the crie of him that ruleth among fooles." — Eccles. 
 X. 17. 
 
 34 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 243 
 
 Sonnet cii. 
 
 He is humbled at the view of himself — voiceless of praise ; yet the 
 sweetest song-birds are sometimes mute ; in the spring Ihey pour forth 
 their glad or grateful madrigals ; in the autumn they serve in silence. 
 
 tSSlf Y love is strengthen 'd, though more weak in seeming ; 
 "^ I love not less, though less the show appear : 
 That love is merchandiz'd whose rich esteeming 
 The owner's tongue doth publish everywhere. 
 Our love was new, and then but in the spring. 
 When I was wont to greet it with my lays ; 
 As philomel in summer's front doth sing, 
 And stops her pipe in growth of riper days : 
 Not that the summer is less pleasant now 
 Than when her mournful hymns did hush the night. 
 But that wild music burdens every bough, 
 And sweets grown common lose their dear delight. 
 Therefore, like her, I sometime hold my tongue, 
 Because I would not dull you with my song. 
 
244 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 ^bc ifountaine. 
 
 " We all doe fade liht a leafe." — Isaiah Ixiv. 6. 
 
 "Woe to the crowne of pride, the drunkards of 
 Ephraim : for his glorious beautie shall be a fading 
 floure." — Isaiah xxviii. i. 
 
 " Let the beautie of the Lord our God be upon us." — 
 Psalme xc. 17. 
 
 "Power and beauty 12^1? in his Sanctuary." — Psalme 
 xcvi. 6. 
 
 "As the mountaines are about Jerusalem so is the 
 Lord about his people from henceforth and for ever." — 
 
 Psalme cxxv. 2. 
 
 " Christ, when wee were yet of no strength, at his time 
 died for the ungodly." — Romans v. 6. 
 
 " The Lambe which was slaine from the beginning of 
 the world." — Revelation xiii. 8. 
 
 "Which was ordained before the foundation of the 
 world." — I Peter i. 20. 
 
 X~ 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 245 
 
 Sonnet civ. 
 
 True beauty once seen is perpetual, and cannot change. Three 
 whole years are come and gone since the eye of his Lord arrested him, 
 and he looked up, responsive. The dial of earthly beauty moves on 
 its shadows, and causes unrest. Shadows fall upon his faith, and he 
 trembles lest he should be deceived. 
 
 The beauty of holiness of which his friend is the embodiment varies 
 not — changes are in himself. Perfect beauty in nature, and in Christ, 
 died long ago, but rose again in him. 
 
 ^O me, fair friend, you never can be old, 
 ^ For as you were, when first your eye I ey'd, 
 Such seems your beauty still. Three winters cold 
 Have from the forests shook three summers' pride ; 
 Three beauteous springs to yellow autumn turn'd, 
 In process of the seasons have I seen ; 
 Three April perfumes in three hot Junes burn'd, 
 Since first I saw you fresh, which yet are green. 
 Ah ! yet doth beauty like a dial hand 
 Steal from his figure, and no pace perceived ; 
 So your sweet hue, which mdthinks still doth stand, 
 Hath motion, and mine eye may be deceived : 
 For fear of which hear this, thou age unbred — 
 Ere you were born was beauty's summer dead. 
 
K- 
 
 246 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 Z\iz ifountaine. 
 
 " Thou art fairer then the children of men : grace is 
 powred in thy lips . . . prosper with thy glory : ride upon 
 the word of trueth and of meeknesse, and of righteous- 
 nesse." — Psalme xlv. 2-4. 
 
 "He hath shewed his marvillous kindnesse toward 
 me." — Psalme xxxi. 21. 
 
 "But when the bountifulnes and love of God our 
 Saviour toward man appeared, not by the works of 
 righteousnesse which wee had done but according to his 
 mercy he saved us by the washing ofe new birth and the 
 renewing of the Holy Ghost." — Titus iii. 4, 5. 
 
 " Master, wee know that thou art true." — -Matthew 
 xxii. pt. 16. 
 
 " We knowe that the Sonne of God is come and hath 
 given us a minde to know him which is true and we are 
 in him that is true, that is in his Sonne Jesus Christ : 
 This same is very God and eternall life." — i John v. 20. 
 
 «' 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 247 
 
 Sonnet cv. 
 
 He anticipates that his devotional fervour on behalf of his divine 
 Master may expose him to the charge of idolatry — he therefore 
 justifies himself in view of what his Lord is — the perfection of 
 beauty — the express image of kindness and the exhibition of truth — he 
 is the Truth — and he is the author of all these — fair, kind, and true — in 
 every person or creature — they all meet in him, constant and perfect. 
 
 Ji^ ET not my love be call'd idolatry, 
 ^^ Nor my beloved as an idol show, 
 
 Since all alike my songs and praises be 
 
 To one, of one, still such and ever so. 
 
 Kind is my love to-day, to-morrow kind. 
 
 Still constant in a wondrous excellence : 
 
 Therefore my verse, to constancy confin'd. 
 
 One thing expressing, leaves out difference. 
 
 Fair, kind and true is all my argument. 
 
 Fair, kind and true, varying to other words ; 
 
 And in this change is my invention spent ; 
 
 Three themes in one, which wondrous scope affords : 
 Fair kind and true have often lived alone. 
 Which three, till now, never kept seat in one. 
 
^be ifountaine, 
 
 "Wee must build an house for the Lord magnifical, 
 excellent, and of great fame and dignitie throughout all 
 countreys." — i Chronicles xxii. 5. 
 
 " The Queene of Sheba saw the wisedome of Salomon 
 and the house that he had built, and the meate of his 
 table, and the sitting of his servants, and the order of 
 his waiters, and their apparell, and his butlers, and their 
 apparell, and his burnt offerings which hee offered in the 
 house of the Lord, and she was greatly astonied." — 
 2 Chronicles ix. 3, 4. 
 
 " I have provided mee men singers and women singers 
 and the delights of the sonnes of men . . . whatsoever 
 mine eyes desired I withheld it not from them ; I 
 withdrew not mine heart from any joy." — Ecclesiastes 
 ii. 8-10. 
 
 " In that day shall the Lord take away the ornament 
 of the slippers and the calles, and the round tiers, the 
 sweete balles, and the bracelets, and the bonnets, the 
 tyres of the bead and the stays and the headbands, and 
 the tablets and the eare-rings. The rings and the 
 mufflers. The costly apparell and the vailes and the 
 wimples, and the crisping pinnes and the glasses and the 
 fine linnen and the hoods and the launes." — Isaiah iii. 
 18, 23. 
 
 " Many prophets and righteous men have desired to 
 see those things which yee see and have not seene 
 them." — Matthew xiii. 17. 
 
 " My soule magnifieth the Lord and my spirit rejoyceth 
 in God my Saviour . . . blessed bee the Lord God of 
 Israel because he hath visited and redeemed his people." 
 — Luke i. 46, 47-68. 
 
 '■ The Prince of peace." — Isaiah ix. 6. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 249 
 
 Sonnet cvi. 
 
 He consoles himself that those who worship lower objects than 
 the Almighty Creator of all, experience quick disappointment; and 
 even the Prophets, who sang as they were taught from above, had 
 not his privileges of revelation. 
 
 ?HEN in the chronicle of wasted time 
 I see descriptions of the fairest wights, 
 And beauty making beautiful, old rhyme. 
 In praise of ladies dead and lovely knights ; 
 Then in the blazon of sweet beauty's best, 
 Of hand, of foot, of lip, of eye, of brow, 
 I see their antique pen would have express'd 
 Even such a beauty as you master now. 
 So all their praises are but prophecies 
 Of this our time, all you prefiguring ; 
 And, for they looked but with divining eyes, 
 They had not skill enough your worth to sing : 
 For we, which now behold these present days, 
 Have eyes to wonder, but lack tongues to praise. 
 
K^ 
 
 250 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 {Tbe Jfountainc. 
 
 " I roare for the very griefe of mine heart : ... on thee 
 O Lord doe I wait : thou wilt heare me my Lord, my 
 God." — Psalme xxxviii, 8-15. 
 
 "Why art thou cast downe my soule? and unquiet 
 within me? waite on God."— Psahne xlii. 5. 
 
 " Hee brought mee into the wine cellar, and love was 
 his banner over me." — Song ii. 4. 
 
 " As the Father hath loved mee, so have I loved you : 
 continue in my \o-vt."—John xv. 9. 
 
 " There is no feare * in love, but perfect love casteth 
 out fcare." — i John iv. 18. 
 
 " I shall be like a greene olive tree in the house of 
 God, for I trusted in the mercie of God for ever and 
 ever." — Psalme lii. 8. 
 
 * Such as should trouble the conscience. — Margin. 
 
 
^K 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 251 
 
 Sonnet cvii. 
 
 He springs out of himself in the contemplation of Christ as his 
 almighty fiiend and deliverer — death shall have no power over him — 
 ) the world's dreams no longer attract him. The Gospel is a lively 
 breathing monument, "in this poor rhyme" which he herein pro- 
 claims ; neither he nor it can die. 
 
 rOT mine own fears, nor the prophetic soul 
 Of the wide world, dreaming on things to come, 
 Can yet the lease of my true love control, 
 Suppos'd as forfeit to a confin'd doom. 
 The mortal moon hath her eclipse endur'd. 
 And the sad augurs mock their own presage ; 
 Incertainties now crown themselves assur'd. 
 And peace proclaims olives of endless age. 
 Now, with the drops of this most balmy time, 
 My love looks fresh, and death to me subscribes, 
 Since, spite of him, I '11 live in this poor rhyme. 
 While he insults o'er dull and speechless tribes : 
 And thou in this shall find thy monument. 
 When tyrants' crests and tombs of brass are spent. 
 
252 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 ^be ifountaine. 
 
 (Jesus) " said . . . knew ye not that I must goe about 
 my father's businesse ? " — Luke ii. 49. 
 
 " Jesus said, I am the bread of \\ie."—John vi. 35. 
 
 " Then spake Jesus . . . saying, I am the light of the 
 world." — John viii. 12. 
 
 " Love one another as I have loved yoxx."— John xv. 12. 
 
 " I am with you alway." — Matthew xxviii. 20. 
 
 "We love him because he loved us first." — i John 
 iv. 19. 
 
 " I will love thee dearely O Lorde, my strength." — 
 Psalme xviii. i. 
 
 "I lay downe my life for my 
 
 sheepe 
 
 ... no man 
 
 taketh it from me, but I lay it 
 
 downe 
 
 of myselfe." — 
 
 John X. 15-18. 
 
 
 
 " By his owne blood entred he 
 
 in once 
 
 unto the holy 
 
 place, and obtained eternall redemption for its." — 
 
 Hebrews ix. 12. 
 
 
 
 " I am the first and I am the last." — Isaiah xliv. 6. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 253 
 
 Sonnet cviii. 
 
 He endeavours to show the indivisible relationship of sinners (man- 
 kind) with their Saviour in an everlasting salvation, and his song would 
 ever be that of the redeemed : had He not shed His blood for them— 
 for him ? 
 
 J-'S.KT 'S in the brain that ink may character, % ";'^, 
 ■^ Which hath not figur'd to thee, my true spirit ? 
 What 's new to speak, what now to register. 
 That may express my love, or thy dear merit ? 
 Nothing, sweet boy ;* but yet, like prayers divine, 
 I must each day say o'er the very same. 
 Counting no old thing old, thou mine, I thine, 
 Even as when first I hallow'd thy fair name. 
 So that eternal love, in love's fresh case. 
 Weighs not the dust and injury of age ; 
 Nor gives, to necessary wrinkles, place ; 
 But makes antiquity for aye his page ; 
 
 Finding the first conceit of love there bred, 
 Where time and outward form would show it dead. 
 
 • "Sweet boy" is an expression characteristic of our Poet, addressing 
 the handsome and noble youth " W. H.," toward whom he entertained 
 a very warm attachment with a gentle familiarity. The whole tenour 
 of this sonnet breathes of a higher devotion. 
 
254 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 ^be ifountainc. 
 
 (God) " breathed in his face breath of life and the man 
 was a living soule." — Genesis ii. 7. 
 
 " The breath of the Almightie hath given me life." — 
 Job xxxiii. 4. 
 
 (1} " shall put my spirit in you and yee shall live." — 
 Ezekiel xxxvii. 14. 
 
 " Thou hast delivered my soule from death, mine eyes 
 from teares, and my feete from falling." — Psalme cxvi. 8. 
 
 " If I wash myselfe with snow water and purge my 
 hands most cleane, yet shalt thou plunge mee in the 
 pit and mine owne clothes shall make mee filthie." — 
 Job ix. 30, 31. 
 
 (Jesus said) "if I wash thee not thou shalt have no 
 part with mee." — John xiii. 8. 
 
 " I am the rose of the field." — Song ii. 1. 
 
 " I will praise the Lord with my whole heart." — Psalme 
 ix. I ; cxi. I ; cxxxviii. I. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 2SS 
 
 Sonnet ciy. 
 
 If his Loid should reproach him with fickleness (and well He may), 
 he looks again to the atonement made on his behalf — he is washed 
 — he is clean — and thence, to His joyiiil resurrection and his own. 
 Then his heart glows within him — " I will praise thee.'' 
 
 1^ ! NEVER say that I was false of heart, 
 
 Though absence seem'd my flame to qualify. 
 As easy might I from myself depart 
 As from my soul, which in thy breast doth lie : 
 That is my home of love : if I have ranged 
 Like him that travels, I return again 
 Just to the time, not with the time exchanged ; 
 So that myself bring water for my stain. 
 Never believe, though in my nature reign'd 
 * All frailties that besiege all kinds of blood, 
 That it could so prepost'rously be stain'd. 
 To leave for nothing all thy sum of good ; 
 For nothing this wide universe I call, 
 Save thou, my Rose ; in it fthou art my all. 
 
 • "Sin hath reigned," but does so no longer. 
 t "Oirist is all and in all." 
 
2S6 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 ^be jfountaine. 
 
 "Thou drewest neere . . . thou saydest, Feare not. 
 O Lord, thou hast maintained the cause of my soule and 
 hast redeemed my life." — Lamentations iii. 57, 58. 
 
 "He hath sayd I will not faile thee neither forsake 
 thee." — Hebrews xiii. pt. S {Genesis xxviii. 15). 
 
 "Wait patiently upon the Lord and hope in him: 
 fret not thyselfe for him which prospereth in his way." — 
 Psalme xxxvii. pt. 7. 
 
 " Rest awhile ... be of good comfort : it is I ; be 
 not afraid ... as many as touched him were made 
 whole." — Mark vi. 31-50-56. 
 
 " I lay downe my life for my sheepe."— yi?A» x. pt. 15. 
 
 "Ye know that he appeared that he might take away 
 our sinnes, and in him is no sinn." — i John iii. 5. 
 
 " I am the Lord, I change not." — Malachi iii. 6. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 2S7 
 
 Sonnet cy. 
 
 He lingers over the inward sense of his declensions : the shadow yet 
 lies across the path of his spiritual life, but his Lord is waiting to be 
 gracious : out of his very shrinking from Him, he realises the unvarying 
 compassion and welcome. 
 
 a LAS ! 't is true, I have gone here and there, 
 And made myself a motley to the view ; 
 
 Gor'd mine own thoughts, sold cheap what is most dear, 
 
 Made old offences of affections new : 
 
 Most true it is, that I have look'd on truth 
 
 Askance and strangely ; but, by all above, 
 
 These blenches* gave my heart another youth. 
 
 And worse essays proved thee my best of love. 
 
 Now all is done save what shall have no end : 
 
 Mine appetite I never more will grind 
 
 On newer proof to try an older friend, 
 
 A God in love, to whom I am confin'd. 
 
 Then give me welcome next my heaven the best. 
 Even to thy pure, and most most loving breast. 
 
 * 'Blenches' — startings — shrinkings back. — W. S. 
 
 17 
 
K^ 
 
 258 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 ^be ifountaine. 
 
 " He hath accused (slandered) thy servant unto my 
 Lord the King." — 2 Samuel xix. 27. 
 
 " Let every one take heede of his neighbour and trust 
 you not in any brother, for every brother wil use deceit 
 and every friend will deale deceitfully." — Jeremiah ix. 4. 
 
 "The word of the Lord was made a reproch unto 
 mee and in derision dayly, then I said I will not make 
 mention of him, nor speake any more in his Name, but 
 his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in 
 my bones and I was weary with forbearing, and I could 
 not stay. For I had heard the rayling of many . . . All 
 my familiars watched for my halting."— yi?r«;«2aA xx. 
 8-10. 
 
 " Yee have heard of the patience of Job and have 
 knowen what end the Lord made. For the Lord is very 
 pitifuU and mercifuU." — James v. 11. 
 
 " God forbid that I should rejoyce, but in the crosse 
 of our Lord Jesus Christ." — Galatians vi. 14. 
 
 " As far as the East is from the West so farre hath hee 
 removed our sinnes from us . . . my soule, praise thou 
 the Lord." — Psalme ciii. 12-22. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 J'A 
 
 259 
 
 Sonnet cyii. 
 
 He is strong in the Lord — the world may scofif, slander, and wound, 
 but the love of Christ is balm for all. 
 
 ^OUR love and pity doth th' impression fill 
 
 Which vulgar scandal stamp'd upon my brow ; 
 For what care I who calls me well or ill, 
 So you o'ergreen my bad, my good allow ? 
 You are my all-the-world, and I must strive 
 To know my shames and praises from your tongue ; 
 None else to me, nor I to none alive, 
 That my steel'd sense or changes, right or wrong. 
 In so profound abysm I throw all care 
 Of others' voices, that my adder's sense 
 To critic and to flatterer stopped are. 
 Mark how with my neglect I do dispense :— 
 You are so strongly in my purpose bred. 
 That all the world beside methinks they are dead. 
 
 X 
 
26o 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 tTbc Jfountaine. 
 
 " Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that hee 
 loved us, and sent his Sonne to be a reconciliation for our 
 sinnes." — i John iv. lo. 
 
 " When wee were enemies wee were reconciled to God 
 by the death of his Sonne." — Romafis v. lo. 
 
 "I will make mention of thy righteousnesse eveji of 
 thine Qne\y."—Psalme Ixxi. i6. 
 
 " Not having mine owne righteousnesse." — Philippians 
 iii. pt. 9. 
 
 " Teach mee thy way, O Lord, and I will walke in thy 
 trueth ; knit mine heart unto thee that I may feare thy 
 Name." — Psalme Ixxxvi. 11. 
 
 " Be ye stedfast, unmoveable." — i Corinthians xv. 
 pt. 58. 
 
 " Know ye not that they which run in a race runne all, 
 yet one receiveth the prize ? so run that ye may obtaine." 
 — I Corinthians ix. 24. 
 
 K' 
 
 ~K 
 
Sonnet cyv. 
 
 He reflects on all his protestations of love to his divine lover; in the 
 past it has been lower than it now is, and yet is now so poor — so in- 
 estimably inferior to His just claim, which is indeed bounclless — that he 
 can only console himself in the view of an endless progression. 
 
 ^HOSE lines that I before have writ do Ue, 
 
 Even those that said I could not love you dearer ; 
 Yet then my judgment knew no reason why 
 My most full flame should afterwards burn clearer : 
 But reckoning time, whose million'd accidents 
 Creep in 'twixt vows and change decrees of kings. 
 Tan sacred beauty, blunt the sharp'st intents, 
 Divert strong minds t' the course of altering things ; 
 Alas ! why, fearing of time's tyranny. 
 Might I not then say, " Now I love you best," 
 When I was certain o'er uncertainty, 
 Crowning the present, doubting of the rest? 
 Love is a babe ; then might I not say so, 
 To give full growth to that which still doth grow ? 
 
262 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 ^be jfountaine. 
 
 " If his children forsake my law . . . then will I visite 
 their ttansgression with the rod and their iniquity with 
 strokes, yet my lovingkindnes wil I not take from him, 
 neither will I falsifie my truth." — Psalme Ixxxix. pt. 30-33. 
 
 " Let the wicked forsake his wayes . . . and return 
 unto the Lord, and he wil have mercy upon him." — 
 Isaiah Iv. pt. 7. 
 
 " I have loved thee with an everlasting love, therefore 
 with mercie I have drawen thee." — -Jeremiah xxxi. pt. 3. 
 
 " Thou shalt call mee, saying. My Father, and shalt 
 not turne from mee." — Jeremiah iii. pt. ig {Romans 
 viii.' 15). 
 
 " Who is like unto thee which hast showed lae great 
 troubles and adversities, but thou wilt returne and revive 
 mee." — Psalme Ixxi. 19, 20. 
 
 " They shal be to me, saith the Lord of hosts, in that 
 day that I shall doe this, for a flocke and I will spare 
 them as a man spareth his owne sonne that serveth him." 
 — Malachi iii. 17. 
 
 " If a man would give all the substance of his house 
 for love, they would greatly contemne it." — Songvxa. pt. 7. 
 
 " In this appeared the love of God toward us, because 
 God sent his only begotten Sonne into the world, that wee 
 might live through him." — 1 John iv. 9. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 263 
 
 Sonnet cyvi. 
 
 The absence of sunshine in his soul brings him again to reflection. 
 The union of true minds can never be dissolved, Communion ever 
 proves Christ's love to be unchanged and unchangeable. 
 
 Mm ET me not to the marriage of true minds 
 Admit impediments : Love is not love 
 
 Which alters when it alteration finds, 
 
 Or bends with the remover to remove. 
 
 O no ! it is an ever fixed mark 
 
 That looks on tempests and is never shaken ; 
 
 It is the star to every wandering bark, 
 
 Whose worth 's unknown, although his height be taken. 
 
 Love 's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks 
 
 Within his bending sickle's compass come ; 
 
 Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks, 
 
 But bears it out even to the edge of doom. 
 If this be error, and upon me proved, 
 I never writ, nor no man ever loved. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 ZCbe ifountaine. 
 
 " Thou hast forgotten the mighty God that begate thee 
 and hast forgotten God that formed thee." — Deuteronomy 
 xxxii. 1 8. 
 
 " Can a maid forget her ornament, or a bride her attire. 
 Yet my people have forgotten me dayes without number." 
 Jeremiah ii. 32. 
 
 " Israel hath forgotten his maker." — Hosea viii. pt. 14. 
 
 " I will bring distresse upon men that they shall walke 
 like blind men because they have sinned against the 
 Lord, and their blood shall be powred out as dust and 
 their flesh as the dung." — Zephaniah i. 1 7. 
 
 " It is the Lord's mercies that wee are not consumed 
 because his compassions faile not : they are renued 
 every morning ; great is thy faithfulnesse."— Za»je«/a- 
 tions iii. 22, 23. 
 
 " I will have mercie upon her that was not pitied, and 
 I wil say to them which were not my people Thou art 
 my people, and they shall say Thou art my God." — 
 Hosea^ ii. 23. 
 
 " Them that honour mee I will honour and they that 
 despise mee shall be despised." — i Samuel ii. 30. 
 
 " Thy Word is a lanterne unto my feet and a light unto 
 my path."— Psalme cxix. 105. 
 
 " Unto him that loved us and washed us from our 
 sinnes in his blood and made us Kings and Priests unto 
 God even his Father to him be glory and dominion for 
 evermore. Amen." — Revelation i. 5-6. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 265 
 
 Sonnet cyvii. 
 
 There is presented to his mind a state of declension and aggravation 
 of ingratitude, quite desperate, by which is further magnified the grace 
 of bis Lord, whose constancy triumphs over his own disloyalty. 
 
 m^ CCUSE me thus : that I have scanted all 
 ^ Wherein I should your great deserts repay ; 
 Forgot upon your dearest love to call, 
 Whereto all bonds do tie me day by day ; 
 That I have frequent been with unknown minds, 
 And given to time your own dear-purchas'd right ; 
 That I have hoisted sail to all the winds 
 Which would transport me farthest from your sight : 
 Book both my wilfulness and errors down, 
 And on just proof surmise accumulate ; 
 Bring me within the level of your frown, 
 But shoot not at me in your waken'd hate, 
 Since my appeal says, I did strive to prove 
 The constancy and virtue of your love. 
 
266 
 
 SHAICSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 ^be ifountaine. 
 
 "Wo, he that coveteth an evill coveteousnesse to his 
 house that hee may set his nest on high to escape. from 
 the power of evill. Thou hast consulted shame to thine 
 owne house by destroying many people and hast sinned 
 against thine owne soule." — Habakkuk ii. 9, 10. 
 
 " They that will be rich fall into tentation (temptation) 
 and snares and into many foolish and noysome lusts 
 which drowne men in perdition and destruction, for the 
 desire of money is the roote of all evill." — i Timothy vi. 
 9, 10. 
 
 " Be content with those things that ye have for he hath 
 sayd I will nbt faile thee neither forsake thee." — Hebrews 
 xiii. 5. 
 
 "A small thing unto the just man is better than great 
 riches to the wicked and mighty." — P saline xxxvii. 16. 
 
 " I have had as great delight in the way of thy testi- 
 monies as in all riches." — Psalme cxix. 14. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 267 
 
 Sonnet cyiy. 
 
 He has not escaped the influence of a gambling age, and has been 
 tempted: he has lamented acts of imprudence without enjoying the 
 good fruit of real repentance, but now gratefully confesses that ill- 
 success was his true gain— love lost is double worth when recovered— 
 " a little, with contentment, is great gain." 
 
 i7HAT potions have I drunk of syren tears 
 '^ Distill'd from limbecks foul as hell within, 
 Applying fears to hopes and hopes to fears, 
 Still losing when I saw myself to win ! 
 What wretched errors hath my heart committed 
 Whilst it hath thought itself so blessdd never ! 
 How have mine eyes out of their spheres been fitted 
 In the distraction of this madding fever ! 
 O benefit of ill ! now I find true 
 That better is by evil still made better \ 
 And ruined love, when it is built anew. 
 Grows fairer than at first, more strong, far greater. 
 So I return rebuk'd to my content. 
 And gain by ill thrice more than I have spent. 
 
268 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 Z\iz jfountaine. 
 
 '•'Grudge not one against another brethren least ye 
 be condemned : beholde, the judge standeth before the 
 doore. . . . Behold we count them blessed which endure. 
 Yee have heard of the patience of Job and have knowen 
 what end the Lord made. For the Lord is very pitiful! 
 and merciful!."— _/(a;w«J v. 9-1 1. 
 
 ''Then Job answered y Lord saying, behold I am 
 vile: what shall I answere thee? I will lay mine hand 
 upon my mouth."— ^o3 xxxix. 36, 37. 
 
 " Surely mine enemie did not defame mee : for I could 
 have borne it; neither did mine adversarie exalt himselfe 
 against mee : for I would have hid me from him ; but it 
 was thou, O man, even my companion, my guide and 
 my familiar which delighted in consulting together, and 
 went into the house of God as companions." — Psalme Iv. 
 12-14. 
 
 "Therefore thou art inexcusable O man whosoever 
 thou art that judgest, for in that thou judgest another 
 thou condemnest thyselfe: for thou that judgest doest 
 the same things." — Romans ii. i. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 269 
 
 Sonnet cyyi. 
 
 He has been falsely accused, and conscious of his own honour, 
 his sensitive nature is sadly wounded : he knows his own heart, and 
 yet has learned not to trust it, for God has searched it at his own 
 desire, and enabled him to trust in his heavenly friend for justifica- 
 tion. The general evil affords him no consolation, he has found a 
 better. 
 
 w^IS better to be vile than vile esteem'd, 
 
 •^ When not to be receives reproach of being ; 
 
 And the just pleasure lost which is so deem'd, 
 
 Not by our feeUng, but by others' seeing : 
 
 For why should others' false adulterate eyes 
 
 Give salutation to my sportive blood ? 
 
 Or on my frailties, why are frailer spies. 
 
 Which in their wills count bad what I think good ? 
 
 No, I am that I am ; and they that level 
 
 At my abuses, reckon up their own : * 
 
 I may be straight, though they themselves be bevel. 
 
 By their rank thoughts my deeds must not be shown; 
 Unless this general evil they maintain. 
 All men are bad, and in their badness reign. 
 
 * "A Christian, he is a hidden man; he hath an excellent life, but 
 it is a hidden life."— Richard Sibbs, d.d. 
 
 •or 
 
270 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 ^be ifountaine. 
 
 "Rend your heart and not your clothes and turne 
 unto the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful!, 
 slow to anger and of great kindnes and repenteth him of 
 the evill."— /(?«/ ii. 13. 
 
 " There he spake with us, yea, the Lord God of hostes, 
 the Lord is himselfe his memoriall." — Hosea xii. 4, 5. 
 
 " I will put my law in their inward parts and write it 
 in their hearts and will be their God and they shall bt 
 my people." — Jeremiah xxxi. 33. 
 
 " Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are 
 honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are 
 pure, whatsoever things pertaine to love, whatsoever 
 things are of good report, if there be any vertue, or if 
 there be any praise, thinke on these things." — Philippians 
 iv. 8. 
 
 " Hee tooke bread and when hee had given thankes, 
 he brake it and gave to them saying, This is my body 
 which is given for you : doe this in remembrance of 
 me." — Luke xxii. 19. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 271 
 
 Sonnet cyyii. 
 
 His meditation is of The gift — Christ, and of the precepts of the 
 Word — the power of it commands memory — he needs no keepsakes — 
 they would only insult memory by suggesting possibility of forgetfiil- 
 ness. A grateful heart finds complete consolation in its bosom friend, 
 whose heart beats in sympathy with every heart, heavy, yet sighing for 
 relief. 
 
 w'HY gift, thy tables, are within my brain, 
 ■^ Full charactered with lasting memory, 
 Which shall above that idle rank remain 
 Beyond all date, even to eternity ; 
 Or, at the least, so long as brain and heart 
 Have faculty by nature to subsist ; 
 Till each to ras'd oblivion yield his part 
 Of thee : thy record never can be missed. 
 That poor retention could not so much hold. 
 Nor need I tallies thy dear love to score ; 
 Therefore to give them from me was I bold 
 To trust those tables that receive thee more ; 
 To keep an adjunct to remember thee 
 Were to import forgetfulness in me. 
 
272 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 ^be ifountaine. 
 
 " Now the end of all things is at hand : Bee yee 
 therefore sober and watching in prayer." — i Peter iiii. 7. 
 
 " O foole, this night will they fetch away thy soule from 
 thee." — Luke xii. 20. 
 
 " The heart of the wise shall know the time and judge- 
 ment." — Ecclesiastes viii. 5. 
 
 " The Angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon 
 the earth, lift up his hand to heaven and sware by him 
 that liveth for evermore . . . that time should bee no 
 more." — Revelation x. 5, 6. 
 
 "We know that if our earthly house of this Taber- 
 nacle be destroyed we have a building given of God." — 
 2 Corinthians v. i. 
 
 " The gift of God is eternal! life through Jesus Christ 
 our Lord." — Romans vi. 23. 
 
 "For indeede the strength of Israel will not lie nor 
 repent for hee is not a man that he should repent." — 
 I Samuel xv. 29. 
 
 "The dead shall be raised up incorruptible." — 
 I Corinthians xv. 52. 
 
 " Being borne anew not of mortal seed but of im- 
 mortall, by the Word of God who liveth and endureth 
 for ever." — i Peter i. 23. 
 
 " I am the living bread which came down from heaven : 
 if any man eat of this bread hee shall live for ever . . . 
 Whosoever eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood hath 
 eternall life."— /(7^« vi. 51-54. 
 
 " I will magnifie thee, O Lord." — Psalme xxx. i. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 273 
 
 Sonnet cyyiii. 
 
 He is not the slave of change or novelty. The ' Pjnramids ' even 
 of this world speak falsely — they, successively, become a desolation in 
 a silent waste. Time, ever fleeting, is its own witness against their 
 permanence. The Saviour of Man is the Alpha and Omega — man by 
 Him lives again in Him, and can thus regard time's decaying things 
 without dismay — destruction is wrought by his hand. Eternity is sure, 
 on which he reposes with devout assurance. 
 
 rO ! Time, thou shalt not boast that I do change : 
 Thy pyramids, built up with newer might, 
 To me are nothing novel, nothing strange ; 
 They are but dressings of a former sight. 
 Our dates are brief, and therefore we admire 
 What thou dost foist upon us that is old, 
 And rather make them born to our desire 
 Than think that we before have heard them told. 
 Thy registers and thee I both defy, 
 Not wondering at the present, nor the past ; 
 For thy recdrds and what we see do lie, 
 Made more or less by thy continual haste. 
 This I do vow, and this shall ever be, 
 I will be true, despite thy scythe and thee. 
 
 18 
 
Z\)c fountaine. 
 
 "Is not this Joseph's Sonne?" — Luke iiii. 22. "The 
 Carpenter?" — Marke vi. 3. 
 
 " This man we know not from whence he is." 
 
 ■ " Thou art altogether borne in sinnes, and doest thou 
 teach us ? so they cast him oxA."^/ohn ix. 29-34. 
 
 "And many of them sayd hee hath a devill and is 
 TS\sAr—John X. 20. 
 
 "Peter . . . denied before them all, saying I wote 
 not what thou sayest . . . and againe he denied with an 
 oath saying, I know not the man." — Matthew xxvi. 69, 
 70-72. 
 
 "Then the Lord turned backe and looked upon Peter 
 . . . and Peter went out and wept bitterly." — Luke xxii. 
 61, 62. 
 
 "As many as I love I rebuke and chasten." — 
 Revelation iii. 19. 
 
 " If therefore ye be without correction, whereof all 
 are partakers, then are yee bastards and not sonnes." — 
 Hebrews xii. 8. 
 
 " So when they had dined Jesus sayd to Simon Peter, 
 Simon the sonne of Jona, lovest thou mee? . . . Hee 
 sayd unto him, Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. 
 Hee said unto him, Feede my sheepe."— yoA« xxi. 15, 16. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 275 
 
 Sonnet cyyiv. 
 
 His love far, far exceeds all states of earthly caprice, and all periods 
 of this world's limitations. 
 
 Love, true love, is of divine origin. Time's servants live only for 
 self, and die to self— his "heart is prepared, so is his tongue: he 
 will sing and give praise." 
 
 F my dear love were but a child of state, 
 It might for fortune's bastard be unfathered, 
 
 As subject to time's love, or to time's hate. 
 
 Weeds among weeds, or flowers with flowers gathered. 
 
 No, it was builded far from accident ; 
 
 It sufiers not in smiling pomp, nor falls 
 
 Under the blow of thralled discontent, 
 
 Whereto th' inviting time our fashion calls : 
 
 It fears not policy, that heretic. 
 
 Which works on leases of short number'd hours, 
 
 But all alone stands hugely politic, 
 
 That it not grows with heat, nor drowns with showers, 
 To this, I witness call, the fools of time, 
 Which die for goodness, who have lived for crime. 
 
276 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 ^be jfountaine. 
 
 "They said, Goe to, let us build iis a citie and a towre 
 whose top itiay reach unto the heaven that wee may get 
 us a name." — Genesis xi. 4. 
 
 " Seekest thou great things for thyselfe? seeke them 
 not." — Jeremiah xlv. 5. 
 
 '■ Bee not hie minded but make yourselves equal! to 
 them of the lower sort." — Romans xii. 16. 
 
 "Who knoweth what is good for man in the life?" 
 — Ecclesiastes vii. 2. 
 
 "Take . . . unleavened bread, and cakes unleavened 
 tempered with oyle ... (of fine wheat floure shalt thou 
 make them)." — Exodus xxix. i, 2. 
 
 " They suborned men which said We have heard him 
 [Stephen] speake blasphemous words against Moses and 
 God."— .(4c;j vi. II. 
 
 " We have found this man [Paul] a pestilent fellow 
 and a moover of sedition." — Acts xxiv. 5. 
 
 " Resist the devill and he will flee from you." — 
 James iiii. 7. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 277 
 
 Sonnet cyyv. 
 
 He covets no outward distinctions of titles or dignities — they are the 
 world's gifts to the world. 
 
 Greedy fortune and feivour-hunters have a brief career; they miss the 
 only true riches in Christ — the hidden communion in union. He gives 
 freely what he has to give, not for reward. Man's great accuser would 
 rob him of his jewel if he could, but he cannot ; his very calumnies 
 serve but to rouse him to circumspection and more earnest jealousy for 
 truth. The truth has made him free. 
 
 ^T^ERE'T aught to me I bore the canopy, 
 
 With my extern the outward honourmg ; 
 Or laid great bases for eternity, 
 Which prove more short than waste or ruining ? 
 Have I not seen dwellers on form and favour 
 Lose all and more by paying too much rent, 
 For compound sweet foregoing simple savour, 
 Pitiful thrivers in their gazing spent ? 
 No ; let me be obsequious in thy heart, 
 And take thou my oblation, poor but free, 
 Which is not mix'd with seconds, knows no art. 
 But mutual render, only me for thee. 
 
 Hence, thou suborn'd informer ! a true soul, 
 When most impeach'd, stands least in thy control. 
 
278 
 
 SHAKSPBARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 ^bc fountains 
 
 " Can a rush grow without mire ? "—Job viii. 1 1. 
 
 "Amnon loved . . . Amnon hated . . . exceedingly." 
 — 2 Samuel xiii. 1-15. 
 
 "When the Lord saw that the wickednesse of man 
 was great in the earth and all the imaginations of the 
 thoughts of his heart were onely evill continually Then 
 it repented the Lord that hee had made man in the 
 earth." — Genesis vi. 5, 6. 
 
 " I gave them up unto the hardnes of their hearts." — 
 Psalme Ixxxi. 12. 
 
 "Their feete run to evil and they make haste to shed 
 innocent blood : their thoughts are wicked thoughts : 
 desolation and destruction is in their paths." — Isaiah 
 lix. 7. 
 
 " I had not knowen lust except the Law had sayd, 
 Thou shalt not lust." — Romans vii. 7. 
 
 "When lust hath conceived it bringeth foorth sinne, 
 and sinne when it is finished bringeth foorth death. 
 Erre not.."^James i. 15, 16. 
 
 "Raging waves of the sea foming out their owiic 
 %h.axas."—jude 13. 
 
 " In whom the god of this world hath blinded the 
 minde, that is, of the infidels." — 2 Corinthians iv. 4. 
 
 " O God be mercifuU to me a sinner." — Luke xviii. 13. 
 
 "She hath washed my feete with teares, and wiped 
 them with the haires of her htaA." —Luke vii. 44. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 279 
 
 Sonnet cyyiy. 
 
 He is impressed " that original coiiuption inclines man to evil," and 
 that a wUiiil, raging blindness and deafness renders futile all warnings 
 and persuasions, human and divine (until) unless the heart capitulates 
 at discretion. 
 
 E^H' expense of spirit in a waste of shame 
 ^ Is lust in action ; and till action, lust 
 
 Is perjur'd, murderous, bloody, full of blame, 
 
 Savage, extreme, rude, cruel, not to trust ; 
 
 Enjoyed no sooner but despised straight ; 
 
 Past reason hunted, and no sooner had. 
 
 Past reason hated, as a swallow'd bait 
 
 On purpose laid to make the taker mad : 
 
 Mad in pursuit, and in possession so ; 
 
 Had, having, and in quest to have, extreme ; 
 
 A bliss in proof — and prov'd, a very woe ; 
 
 Before, a joy propos'd ; behind, a dream. 
 
 All this the world well knows, yet none knows well 
 To shun the heaven that leads men to this hell. 
 
28o 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 ^be ifountaine. 
 
 " My sheepe wandered thorow all the mountaines and 
 upon every high hill, yea, my flock was scattered thorow 
 all the earth." — Ezekiel xxxiv. 6. 
 
 "As a shepheard searcheth out his flock when hee 
 hath beene among his sheepe that are scattered so will I 
 seeke out my sheepe." — Ezekiel xxxiv. 12. 
 
 " And yee, my sheepe, the sheepe of my pasture are 
 men, and I am your God saith the Lord God." — 
 Ezekiel xxxiv. 31. 
 
 " Hee shall feede His flocke like a shepheard." — 
 Isaiah xl. 11. 
 
 "Feede the flocke of God, which dependeth upon 
 you : caring for it not by constraint, but willingly . . . 
 be sober and watch for your adversary the devill as a 
 roaring lion walketh about, seeking whom he may 
 devoure." — i Peter v. 2, 8. 
 
 "Shall not God avenge his elect which cry day and 
 night unto him ... I tell you hee will avenge them 
 quickly." — Luke xviii. 7, 8. 
 
 " I lay downe my life for my s\i^e^t."^/okn x. 1 5. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 ,K 
 
 s8i 
 
 Sonnet cyliii. 
 
 He has observed that some, otherwise worthy, pastors frequently let 
 go their charge, spending _precious time in trivial matters, or such as 
 would be better deputed to others, yet he would not find fault if 
 reflection and affection might bring them home again to their sacred 
 charge and duty. 
 
 MM O ! as a careful housewife runs to catch 
 
 One of her feather'd creatures broke away, 
 Sets down her babe, and makes all swift dispatch 
 In pursuit of the thing she would have stay ; 
 Whilst her neglected child holds her in chase, 
 Cries to catch her whose busy care is bent 
 To follow that which flies before her face, 
 Not prizing her poor infant's discontent ; 
 So run'st thou after that which flies from thee, 
 Whilst I, thy babe, chase thee afar behind; 
 But if thou catch thy hope, turn back to me, 
 And play the mother's part, kiss me, be kind : 
 So will I pray that thou may'st have thy will 
 If thou turn back, and my loud crying still. 
 
^be jfountaine. 
 
 "O Lord are not thine eyes upon the trueth?" — 
 Jeremiah v. 3. 
 
 " I will kindle a fire in thee and it shall devoure all 
 the greene wood in thee and all the drie wood: and all 
 flesh shall see that I, the Lord, have kindled it and it 
 shall not be quenched. Then said I, ah Lord God, 
 they say of mee doeth not he speake parables?" — 
 Ezekiel xx. 47, 48. 
 
 " Rise up, rise up and put on strength O arme of the 
 Lord : rise up as in the old time ... art not thou the 
 same which hath dried the sea : the waters of the great 
 deepe, making the depth of the sea a way for the 
 redeemed to passe over.'"' — Isaiah li. g, 10. 
 
 " I will redeeme them from the power of the grave : 
 O death I will be thy death: O grave I will bee thy 
 destruction." — Hosea xiii. 14. 
 
 "The creature also shall bee delivered from the 
 bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the 
 sonnes of God." — Romans viii. 21. 
 
 " Bee not carefuU for your life . . . nor yet for your 
 body, what yee shall put on." — Matthew vi. 25. 
 
 " O the deepnesse of the riches both of the wisedome 
 and knowledge of God, how unsearchable are his judge- 
 ments and his wayes past finding out ! " — Romans xi. 33. 
 
 " I came down from heaven not to doe mine owne 
 will : . . . this is the will of him that sent me, that every 
 man which seeth the Sonne and believeth in him should 
 have everlasting \\{t."—John iv. 38-40. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 283 
 
 Sonnet cylvi. 
 
 He reflects that in his spiritual warfare, this earthly tabernacle, the 
 body—" my sinful earth "—troubles him, and makes him weak in the 
 spirit. The fast decay of that grosser part of him fosters the increase 
 of the nobler to his soul's prosperity. Growth and health is promoted, 
 as the removal of weeds from the tilled soil, or wild shoots from en- 
 grafted trees, affords vigour to the appointed head. 
 
 Ip) OOR soul, the center of my sinful earth, 
 ■*^ Fooled by those rebel powers that thee array, 
 Why dost thou pine within and suffer dearth, 
 Painting thy outward walls so costly gay? 
 Why so large cost, having so short a lease. 
 Dost thou upon thy fading mansion spend ? 
 Shall worms, inheritors of this excess, 
 Eat up thy charge ? is this thy body's end ? 
 Then, soul, live thou upon thy servant's loss, 
 And let that pine to aggravate* thy store ; 
 Buy terms divine in selling hours of dross ; 
 Within be fed, without be rich no more. 
 
 So shalt thou feed on death that feeds on mep, 
 And death once dead, there 's no more dying then. 
 
 • The sense of aggravate is, clearly, "increase,"' the primary 
 synon3mi. 
 
2^4 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 NOTE 
 
 It will not have escaped observation that while the 
 spelling of the translators — or it may be more correct 
 to say the revisers of the Bible known as the Genevan 
 Version — was of no certain character, and varied on 
 every page of each successive edition, through the lack 
 of any standard, the seemingly less learned Poet's spell- 
 ing is given in the approved orthography of our own 
 day. This is due, no doubt, to the opinion of the 
 'Republic of Letters,' that readers may be enabled 
 thus to study Shakspeare more agreeably to all in the 
 popular form. 
 
 Farewell ! 
 
 C. E. 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 28s 
 
 INTERPRETATION. 
 
 GEORGE WITHER. 
 
 '"'W IS no grace to her at all 
 
 "^ If, her hair, I, sunbeams, call ; 
 For, were there a power in art 
 So to pourtray every part 
 All men might these beauties see 
 As they so appear 10 me." 
 
 G. W. 
 
 [If anything may seem to have a doubtful interpre- 
 tation, assure yourselves the honestest meaning in it is 
 mine. — G. W.*] 
 
 * I entreated him to explain his meaning in some obscure passages ; but 
 he told me how that were to take away the employment of his interpreters. 
 John Marriot, Editor of Wither s Poems. 
 
286 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 INDEX, 
 
 Bishop Jeremy Taylor. Canon Ainger 
 
 Ben Jonson, "To the Memory of W. S." . 
 
 Ben Jonson, "On the Portrait" 
 
 Extracts — King Henry IV. (W. S.) Emblem — 
 The Pelican. G. Wither. 
 
 Dedication. . . . . 
 
 Pedigree of the Earldom of Pembroke . 
 
 Poem, "The Earl's Motto" (E. C.) . 
 
 William Shakspeare of Stratford-upon-Avon 
 
 Tributary Couplets (by Wm. Collins) 
 
 Original Sonnet, "The Christ" 
 
 Preamble to Victorian Edition 
 
 Extracts (W. Cowper. Hannah More) 
 
 Preface to Sonnets — First Edition . 
 
 Autographs . . . . 
 
 (Ben Jonson) 
 
 (J. M. S.) . . . 
 
 " Stratford-on-Avon " (D. T.) 
 On the i6th Century 
 (John Hales, "Reflection") 
 "The Bible" (W. Wordsworth) 
 Sermon (Archbishop Trench) 
 
 Lines (J. E.) 
 
 Lines, "The Reader" 
 
 Prelude. 
 
 
 Prelude. 
 
 
 Proemial. 
 
 
 Proemial. 
 
 n. 
 
 Proemial. 
 
 IIL 
 
 Proemial. 
 
 IV. 
 
 Proemial. 
 
 V. 
 
 PAGE 
 4 
 5 
 
 6 
 
 8 
 9 
 
 lO 
 
 II 
 
 12 
 
 13 
 H 
 IS 
 i6 
 
 23 
 
 32 
 34 
 35 
 36 
 37 
 38 
 39 
 40 
 
 41 
 42 
 
SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 287 
 
 INDEX— (CoM«M3<erf). 
 
 PAGE 
 
 A Reading from the Merchant of Venice . 43 
 
 Shakspeare's Sovereign Knowledge of the 
 
 World (Bulwer-Lytton) . . . 44 
 
 WiELAND ON SHAKSFEARE. G. WITHER. W. COWPER 46 
 
 Milton's L' Allegro and Epitaph . . . 94 
 
 Shakspeariana — 
 
 Hazlitt — "Age of Elizabeth." Cowper . 96 
 
 Measure for Measure . . . . 97 
 
 Ainger on Shakspeare . . . . 98 
 
 Henry Neele on Shakspeare (i). . . 102 
 
 King Richard II. . ... 103 
 
 Tennyson — " Harold.'' "Queen Mary" . 108 
 
 King Henry IV. Part I. ... 109 
 
 Hannah More — "King Hezekiah " . .114 
 
 King Henry IV. Second Part . . • "5 
 
 Henry Neele on Shakspeare (2). . .118 
 
 King Henry V. . . . . . 119 
 
 Testimony — Hannah More, "Darius." 
 
 Wm. Wordsworth . . . . 126 
 
 King Henry VI. Second Part . . . 127 
 
 "All the Year Round," Shakspeare's 
 
 Portrait . . ... 132 
 
 King Henry VI. Third Part . . -133 
 
 Testimony — T. Carlyle, Lectures, 1838 . 138 
 
 King Richard III. . . . . 139 
 
 Testimony— T. Carlyle . . . . 143 
 
 Macbeth . . ... 143 
 
2S8 
 
 SHAKSPEARE AND THE BIBLE 
 
 WlyTSX— (Continued). 
 
 Shakspeariana — 
 
 Testimony — T. Carlyle . 
 
 Hamlet . . . . 
 
 Testimony — T. Carlyle . 
 Archbishop Trench. Parables — The Talents. 
 
 The Sower. The Prodigal Son. Miracles — 
 
 Bethesda. The Barren Fig-tree 
 Aurora Leigh, "England" (E. B. B.) 
 Testimony— T. F. Bayard 
 Eulogy of Shakspeare (B. W. Procter) 
 A Selection of Shakspeare's Sonnets 
 Memorandum — Dr. Dowden . 
 The Poet's Faith in Christ (Bulwer-Lytton) 
 A Selection of Shakspeare's Sonnets 
 The Sonnet, "Songs ok Degrees" (J. Wilson) 
 The Sonnet, " Psalm cxxi." . 
 Sonnets (Hausman. S. T. Coleridge) 
 Essay on the Sonnets (W. Wordsworth) . 
 Sonnet, "Amoretti" (Spenser) 
 Original Sonnet, "The Life Work of the Bard 
 
 OF Avon" (C-E.) 
 Fifty-three Sonnets of Shakspeare 
 The Farewell . . . . 
 
 Interpretation (G. Wither) . 
 
 PAGE 
 146 
 147 
 
 '59 
 
 161 
 162 
 163 
 164 
 
 165 
 i65 
 168 
 169 
 170 
 171 
 172 
 173 
 175 
 
 176 
 
 177 
 284 
 285 
 
3012 E47"*" ""'™"'*>' '■"'""y 
 ^''fljspeare and the Bible.Shakspeare, a r 
 
 3 1924 013 163 013 
 
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